A picture of her world is outlined on the basis of paintings and sculptures by Isaac Israëls, Odilon Redon, Jan Veth, George Breitner and others from her collection together with De Swart’s own work, photographs, sculptures and musical compositions. The exhibition also includes work by her life partner, the artist Emilie van Kerckhoff, and her father, the painter Corstiaan de Swart. The exhibition and the richly illustrated book ‘Fatal Art’ by guest curator Jaap Versteegh tell the story of a woman who was prepared to give literally everything for art.
Muse of the Tachtigers
Sara Swart grew up as the only child of a well-to-do family. At the end of the nineteenth century she was one of the few women to belong to the Movement of 1880 (Tachtigers). She befriended a large number of young artists and supported many of them financially by buying their work. This earned her the name ‘Muse of the Tachtigers’. She was on friendly terms with painters like George Hendrik Breitner and Isaac Israëls, the writers Lodewijk van Deyssel and Herman Gorter, and the composer Gustav Mahler. She was interested in every artistic discipline, from painting and sculpture to literature, poetry and music. The large number of portraits of Tachtigers exhibited in ‘Fatal Art’ offer a unique insight into this group of artists, who played a role of great importance in the development of modern art in the Netherlands. On the basis of extensive research by Jaap Versteegh, the active and stimulating role of Sara de Swart in the artistic life of her day is revealed for the first time in this exhibition.
Eye for talent
De Swart’s sharp eye for talent and her personal contacts with leading artists in the Netherlands and abroad formed the basis of her impressive art collection. Thanks to her friendship with artists like Odilon Redon and Auguste Rodin, she was able to acquire their work and was the first to introduce them in the Netherlands. The exhibition includes a large collection of prints by Odilon Redon. Sara de Swart was a genuine art lover throughout her life and spent her entire fortune on supporting artists she admired. From 1909 on her financial problems steadily increased and she was obliged to gradually sell all her art.
Publication
The exhibition is accompanied by the richly illustrated book (in Dutch) ‘Fatale Kunst. Leven en werk van Sara de Swart (1861-1951)’ by Jaap Versteegh. ISBN 978 6004 223 21 NUR 654. Publisher Vantilt. The research conducted by the art historian and artist Jaap Versteegh provides a wonderful opportunity to see work by Sara de Swart in the context of her collection and life story in the Kunsthal.
About your visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Skip listThe Kunsthal is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs. The Kunsthal Café opens half an hour earlier, so you can visit from 9:30 hrs until half an hour after closing time. Check the current opening hours.
Yes, you need to book a ticket with a start time in advance. This also applies if you have a Museum card, Rotterdam pass, or VriendenLoterij VIP Card. This way, you are guaranteed admission and we can ensure that your visit is as pleasant as possible. Book your start time.
Yes, with an online ticket, you can visit all the exhibitions that are on display on the date of your visit. You can also stay as long as you like. You are welcome at the Kunsthal from your designated start time until closing time. Book your start time.
In de Kunsthal Rotterdam zijn altijd meerdere wisselende en contrastrijke tentoonstellingen tegelijk te zien. Een volledig overzicht van alle actuele tentoonstellingen vind je op de tentoonstellingspagina.