Why did we look for ceramics in Drenthe? This province in the north of the Netherlands has traditionally been loved by artists. From the 18th century they came to this inspiring landscape to develop their talents. Vincent van Gogh is perhaps the best known of them.
“Drenthe is so beautiful, it absorbs and fulfils me so utterly […] oak trees of a superb bronze. Tones of golden green in the moss, of reddish or bluish or yellowish dark lilac greys in the soil, tones of inexpressible purity in the green […]”
(Vincent van Gogh, November 1883)
But what can potters and ceramics enthusiasts find in this primeval province? More than you think! Not only primordial pots, but also historic industrial plateel and contemporary artisanal ceramics.
Due to circumstances, our weekend in Drenthe in May was canceled this year. But this summer we made up for it. We went in search of the best ceramic sights.
In this blog an overview of all the fascinating places a ceramics lover should visit in Drenthe.
Ceramics Fair Dwingeloo
First place to visit for the ceramics enthusiast in Drenthe is the International Ceramics Fair Dwingeloo. This is one of the most prominent ceramics fairs in the Netherlands and takes place every year on Ascension Day (Thursday). Nearly a hundred balloted ceramicists from the Netherlands and abroad show their latest work on de Brink, the heart of Dwingeloo.
At this fair, the ceramic collector of contemporary ceramics can buy directly from the maker and add this to his or her collection. But there is also a lot to experience for the (starting) ceramic connoisseur. In the words of the organization:
“Under the age-old trees, around 90 ceramists show their work, with a number of ceramists demonstrating their methods and techniques. […] Some music and theatre groups liven up the market all day long.”
This year we would be on this fair with my latest ceramics sculptures. Unfortunately, it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But I’ll be there in 2021!
Drents Museum in Assen
Drenthe is known as the Barbizon of the North because of its unspoilt nature. From the 18th century, the first artists “armed with their pencil and easel moved into the wild but above all the beautiful Drenthe landscape”. Like Barbizon in France, they gathered in artists’ villages such as Zweeloo, Rolde and Vries to paint nature outdoors.
But thousands of years before our painters discovered Drenthe, the hunebed builders already made beautiful funnel cup pottery in this region. In my previous blog you can read about that.
Part of this archaeological treasure from the Stone Age can now be found in the Drents Museum in Assen. This museum is not only popular amongst art lovers, those interested in pre-historical ceramics should also visit.
Unfortunately, the archaeological department of the Drents Museum was closed to the public this year (and probably also in 2021) due to a major renovation.
So unfortunately we were unable to see the ceramic funnel cup collection. But for ceramic enthusiasts there is also art deco design from the period 1885-1935 on display. Besides a permanent collection of modern art and changing exhibitions, there is still plenty to discover. As soon as the renovation is finished we will definitely come back.
Hunebedcentrum: primal ceramics in Drenthe
For those under the spell of Stone Age ceramics, the hunebed centre in Borger is a must. Not only because of the largest Hunebed of Drenthe. Also because of the exhibition of a large part of the funnel cup pottery collection in the Netherlands.
This has been excavated, documented, restored and analysed in the immediate vicinity over the past hundred years. An impressive scientific achievement, from which we can all learn and enjoy.
In the centre is a museum, a boulder garden and a prehistoric park. In this park you make a time trip through 150,000 years of Drenthe history. You’ll meet your prehistoric ancestors, including a Stone Age potter. Great fun to walk through and immerse yourself in the history of humanity.
Of course I should not forget to mention the “funnel cup café”. The only café overlooking the largest hunebed in the Netherlands. By the way, this is the same hunebed I climbed in the 1970s.
Fortunately, in our more civilized 21st century, climbing hunebeds is no longer tolerated. Instead, I enjoyed a steaming cup of coffee while admiring this funerary monument from an appropriate distance.
Ceramic Museum Goedewaagen
Finally, a ceramaphile can’t leave Drenthe without visiting the Ceramic Museum Goedewaagen. This private museum is located in Nieuw Buinen on the border of Stadskanaal. Here you will find historic industrial Dutch pottery.
The museum has a collection of about 4000 pieces of pottery. From decorative pottery to plateel, from tile to tile tableau and from Gouda pipes to miniature houses. This collection (about 800 pieces) tells the story of Dutch pottery production from 1880.
This is also home to the“Ceramic Institute W.H. van Norden”. Since 1989, this foundation has been conducting scientific research into decorated Dutch pottery from after 1873. For example, a database of photos and source documents of more than 150,000 digital files has been built.
Enjoy ceramics in Drenthe
So there is plenty to do in Drenthe for a ceramic connoiseur and enthusiast. From ancient Stone Age ceramics, decorated industrial pottery from the 19th and 20th centuries to contemporary artisanal ceramics from the21st century.
Add an inspiring landscape, beautiful moors interspersed with forests and clear pools. What more could you wish for? A robust network of pleasant bike paths. And you’ll never guess, they have them!
In short, just like Vincent, take “a slice of coarse peasant bread and a cup of coffee at the little inn”. And enjoy Drenthe as he did on a beautiful day in November 1883.
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