Currently the exhibit at the High Museum in Atlanta "Dutch Art in a Global Age" has it all: the portraits, the stills of beautiful objects, silver and ceramics, and two of my gallery favorites —paintings of sailing vessels on choppy seas (the Netherlands was a naval power in the 17th century) and a few beautifully illustrated books.
On the left is a gigantic Theatre of the Cities of the United Netherlands which includes hand-colored etchings and engravings by Joan Blaeu (1596-1673). Shown here is Amsterdam (circa 1650) which is a headliner in the town-by-town tour through Flanders and the United Provinces. A precursor to the Lonely Plant guides? I think not.
On the right, is a woodblock illustration appeared in another guidebook, Pictures of Famous Products of Mountains and Seas (1799). Japanese artist Shitomi Kangetsu's (1747-1797) woodcut of an armed ship from the Dutch East India Company outside of Nagasaki Bay in southwestern Japan. For over two centuries the Dutch were the only Europeans permitted to trade with Japan.
While the exhibition emphasizes the artistic achievement of the Dutch it does remind visitors "to consider the human costs of global commerce." This is somewhat an understatement. I recently read the opening chapters of Amitav Ghosh's The Nutmeg's Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis (2021) where the Indian born writer gives a graphic account of Dutch atrocities in the Banda Islands.
"You Can't Lay Down Your Memory Chest of Drawers"
I cannot go to the High Museum without checking out Tejo Remy's "Chest of Drawers" work which is part of the permanent collection. Remy is a Dutch designer who graciously allow me to use his art for the cover of my book A Father's Letters: Connecting Past to Present. When I first saw this work, I had no doubt that I wanted it for my cover and happily the people at the High helped make this happen.
Also it is a nice coincidence that Sunday is Father's Day. Go Dads.
