In an era when eroticism and seduction were deeply mistrusted and invoked feelings of guilt, a time when syphilis and regular visits to the brothel posed a serious threat to married life, Rops succeeded in depicting the tense male-female relationship in his pictures of voluptuous women and satanic satyrs.
The Kunsthal exhibited over 150 drawings, water colours and etchings from the Victor en Gretha Arwas collection. These works offer a fascinating picture of eroticism during the Fin de Siècle. Rops was an intense artist with a passion for 'woman', which he translated into narrative depictions in his own, inimitable way. His sources of inspiration were entirely literary and verbal. He almost never used professional models, because they slipped automatically into classical poses. "One must not draw a classical nude but the nude of today ... one must not draw the breast of the Venus de Milo but the breast of Tata, which is less beautiful but is the breast of today."
His art was extremely popular among prominent citizens including Victor Hugo and Gustave Flaubert, and composers Franz Liszt and Gabriel Fauré. Artists like Edouard Manet, Edgar Degas and Auguste Rodin were admirers of Rops' work. His popularity made him the best-paid illustrator in Paris around 1878.
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.