Drents Museum De Buitenplaats
Refurbishment spotlights unique art collection
A remarkable thing happened in 2024 in Eelde, in Drenthe. Museum De Buitenplaats was given a complete makeover. Ever since, museum visitors enjoy better access to an extraordinary art collection dating back to around 1900.
The Buitenplaats is part of the estate of the married couple Van Groeningen. They purchased the 17th-century Nijsinghhuis (once the town hall of Eelde) in 1971 for the symbolic sum of 1 guilder. In return, they were required to restore the heavily dilapidated building in line with listed building requirements And that is exactly what they did. They also commissioned Alberts & Van Huut to design a museum pavilion and adjoining museum garden. It was in this remarkable place that the couple housed their art collection.
Northern Realists
Since 2024, De Buitenplaats has become part of the Drents Museum in Assen. Interestingly, the couple had commissioned the walls of the Nijsinghhuis to be painted by Northern Realists; figurative artists who were part of this 20th-century art movement. Today, the Drents Museum has shifted its focus away from figurative art to Art Nouveau. In doing so, the museum’s leading collection of art 1885-1935 acts as a starting point. It includes fine art and crafts such as Jugendstil, Amsterdam School and Art Deco.
The refurbishment of the pavilion involves a lot of work. A complete overhaul of the lighting system alone will be necessary to do justice to the unique art collection. The switch to LED and smart lighting control will dramatically reduce the energy consumption. This will benefit the environment and reduce the energy costs.
