Ode aan de Veenkoloniale vrouw

In an era when women were often seen as subordinate, the
Veenkoloniën stood out by advancing emancipation. Women have played a vital
role in shaping this region—and they continue to do so. That’s why the
Veenkoloniaal Museum pays tribute to the Veenkolonial woman. Nineteen
contemporary artists present their interpretations of remarkable women from the
Veenkoloniën.

 The history of the Veenkoloniën is about much more than
peat-cutting. Once the peat was gone, a new economy emerged. Thanks to maritime
trade and agriculture, prosperity followed—bringing with it progressive ideas
and social development. In a time when women were often marginalized, the
Veenkoloniën offered a path forward through emancipation. Women left their mark
on the region, contributed to the Netherlands, and became part of extraordinary
historical narratives. Some of these women are well-documented in appearance;
others leave room for the artist’s imagination.