In the Light of Cuyp
October 3, 2021 to May 8, 2022
Dordrechts Museum
Idyllic landscapes with riders and cows in misty sunlight. Until the 8th of May 2022, the long-awaited exhibition about Dordrecht’s most famous painter Aelbert Cuyp can be seen in the Dordrechts Museum: ‘In the light of Cuyp. Aelbert Cuyp & Gainsborough – Constable – Turner’.
This exhibition highlights the impact of Aelbert Cuyp on British landscape painting. The museum shows not only nearly 30 of Cuyp’s most important paintings, from countries such as England and America, but In the light of Cuyp also shows extensive work for the first time by British painters who were inspired by Cuyp. With over 30 works by renowned artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, John Constable, J.M.W. Turner and others.
The story of Dordrecht’s greatest painter is unique. Cuyp was a completely local artist in his day, who was virtually unknown outside his hometown. He lived and worked in Dordrecht all his life and the buyers of his landscapes almost all came from his birthplace. It was only after his death that he was discovered by English collectors and artists. From about 1750 a true Cuyp craze arose there. The British aristocracy was so fond of the sun-drenched landscapes that around 1800 no important work by Cuyp could be found in the Netherlands. A Cuyp was a must in the great English country houses.
In the light of Cuyp, many works by British artists such as Richard Wilson, Thomas Gainsborough, John Constable, J.M.W. Turner, Richard Parkes Bonington, Augustus Wall Callcott and John Crome. Two masterpieces by Cuyp from the English Royal Collection Trust have been generously lent by Queen Elizabeth II. Three landscapes by Cuyp from Woburn Abbey that had never been shown in the Netherlands have also temporarily returned to the city where they were made.
More info on the exhibition ‘In the Light of Cuyp’.
Catalogue: In the Light of Cuyp, Aelbert Cuyp & Gainsborough, Constable, Turner
‘In the Light of Cuyp’ showcases for the first time the immense impact the Dordrecht painter had in Britain and brings together masterpieces from different centuries.
In ‘In the Light of Cuyp’ , remarkable facts about the significance of Aelbert Cuyp for British landscape art are revealed. It is a richly illustrated reference work that is the result of years of research by Dutch and British art historians.
The catalogue is both available in English and Dutch.
Socks Aelbert Cuyp
Don’t go to the Albert Cuyp Market in Amsterdam to buy boring socks! Buy the one and only Aelbert Cuyp socks from the Dordrechts Museum!
This set of museum socks is inspired by the exhibition ‘In het licht van Cuyp’.
