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Museums / Westeremden

Groningen · Art

Museum Helmantel: attention to what seems ordinary

A still life invites you to pause over things you would otherwise pass by. At Museum Helmantel in Westeremden, paintings and the space of De Weem together form the start of your visit.

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An exhibition in the barn

The museum describes its exhibition space as the barn section of De Weem, next to the Andreaskerk. As you enter, look at how the paintings are arranged in that space. Which work first demands your attention, and is that down to the subject, the light or its place on the wall?

Looking at a still life

Still lifes are part of Henk Helmantel’s work. Choose a painted object and follow its edge with your eyes. Where does it become sharp, and where less distinct? In this way you can explore how a painter makes something look tangible, without any knowledge of painting technique.

A different scale

Church and monastery interiors are also among the subjects described. When both are on show, compare an interior with a still life. How is your gaze guided through a large space, and how does that differ from looking at a small object?

Before you go

The museum works with an exhibition season. Check your visit date and the current programme; not every subject mentioned will necessarily be on show at the same time.

Sources

This first edition has been compiled from collected museum information. Not all of the information has yet been confirmed by the museum. Viewing tips are by the editorial team. The sources used are listed below.

  1. Museum Helmantel — source 1

    Source reference supplied; independent source check still needed. Reference from a research card; source content still to be checked independently.

  2. Museum Helmantel — source 2

    Source reference supplied; independent source check still needed. Reference from a research card; source content still to be checked independently.

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