Breda is the youngest city museum in the Netherlands and a starting point for anyone who wants to discover the art and history of Breda and the surrounding area. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum often hosts temporary exhibitions. Project room NEXT is intended for collaboration with partners from the city. The current exhibition Realists – Masterpieces from Museum Arnhem is a collaborative project with Museum Arnhem, which is closed due to renovation. The exhibition includes paintings and drawings by Ali Goubitz, Nola Hatterman, Raoul Hynckes, Dick Ket, Pyke Koch, Jan Mankes, Johan Mekkink, Toon van de Muysenberg, Herbert von Reyl, Wim Schuhmacher, Charley Toorop and Carel Willink.
The 1920s and 1930s were the peak of magical realism and neo-realism in the art world of the Netherlands. This style revolves around precisely drawn or painted representations, with clear contours and an emphasis on craftsmanship. Sometimes the paintings create a magical, unreal atmosphere.
After the Second World War, Museum Arnhem focused on collecting realistic art. The museum owns work by famous painters such as Dick Ket, Jan Mankes and Carel Willink, but also redirected attention to some almost-forgotten artists, including Nola Hatterman and Ali Goubitz. As a result, its collection is one of the most beautiful and greatest in the Netherlands.
Because Museum Arnhem is closed for renovation and expansion until 2022, a selection of its works is presented in travelling exhibits. The exhibition in Stedelijk Museum Breda is supplemented with work from Toon van de Muysenberg’s own collection and loans of works by Carel Willink and Herbert von Reyl from private collections.