Dutch Design – Huis van Oranje (Excellent craft at the court)
From April 26th Oranienbaum Palace in Oranienbaum (former residence of Henriette Catharina of Anhalt-Dessau, Princess of Orange-Nassau) will open her doors to the public. The palace will be hosting an exhibition of historical and contemporary excellent craft for the duration of the summer.
Reflecting on their original functions, the many palace rooms will feature work by prominent Dutch designers including Viktor & Rolf, Hella Jongerius, Iris van Herpen, Piet Hein Eek, Spijkers en Spijkers, Marcel Wanders, Jan Taminiau, Jeroen Vinken, Richard Hutten, Bernard Heesen, Gijs Bakker and photography by Desiree Dolron.
However, young up-and-coming talent is also much in evidence in this unique location.
The palace rooms will feature examples of excellent contemporary craftsmanship such as furniture, jewellery, glass and ceramics, hand-sewn fashion items and accessories, set off with several examples of historical objets d’art and antiques from the Dutch Royal Archives.
With its Delft blue tile panels, royal portraits, ornate ceilings and decorated walls, Oranienbaum Palace is reliving its heyday. Now the major conservation and refurbishment process is nearing completion, the palace and its park have been restored to their former grandeur.
Henriette Catharina was the daughter of Frederik Hendrik, Prince of Orange and Amalia van Solms, Princess of Orange. In 1660 she was given an estate by her husband, which she named ‘Oranienbaum’ (Orange Tree), a name that alluded to her family heritage. She devoted all her energies to developing the area and breathed new life into the entire district.
Honthorst and Van Dyck versus Dutch design and fashion
Portraits of the women of Orange, resplendent in beautiful gowns and jewellery, are shown in relation to examples of contemporary jewellery and fashion. Amalia van Solms, Queen Beatrix, Princess Maxima and Henriette Catharina of Anhalt-Dessau, Princess of Orange-Nassau, every one of them strong women who belong in the ‘House of Orange’.
Paintings by Honthorst and Van Dyck amidst Dutch design and fashion.
The Dutch Princess’s love of decorative arts
Because of her deep affection for ceramics, gilded leather tapestries and glass, Henriette Catharina surrounded herself with beautiful objets d’art and even established a small glassblowing factory near the palace. The items selected for the exhibition ‘Dutch Design – Huis van Oranje’ will also focus on beautifully designed, hand-made items. By devoting much attention to historical and contemporary collaborations between designers and artisans the organisation hopes to draw attention to the current application of skilled crafts in the field of Dutch design.
The Orange Route
Oranienbaum lies on the Orange Route, a 2,500 km-long scenic route featuring Dutch and German towns with historic ties to the House of Orange-Nassau. The surrounding area offers many great possibilities for walking and biking.
Oranienbaum is situated at the heart of the Dessau-Wörlitz park, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
April 26th 2012 – September 30th 2012
Oranienbaum Palace, Oranienbaum, Germany (near Dessau and Berlin)
www.oranienbaumexhibition.com
More shoes in our collection by Jan Jansen
