The New Woman tells the story of changing societal positions of women, reflected in the Dutch art of the 20th century. The spotlight is on women who went to the barricades, entered new fields of work, created masterpieces, built collections, lit up a cigarette, flaunted their short (or long) hairstyles or jumped on their bicycles. Women who - time and again - challenged the ideas of what is typically 'feminine' or 'masculine', who defied conventions and pushed boundaries.
The exhibition examines the power to look and be looked at, at times when women were demanding changes in legislation as well as morality. The focus is on the shifting representation of women, against the background of their advancing emancipation. Included are paintings and drawings by both female and male artists, demonstrating female strength, talent, perseverance and beauty. The main focus is on the period 1880-1950, supplemented with contemporary art that invites reflection on the present.
Works will be displayed by Charley Toorop, Marlene Dumas, Else Berg, Jan Sluijters, Iris Kensmil, Lou Loeber, Eva Besnyö, Isaac Israels, Helen Verhoeven, Thérèse Schwartze, Rineke Dijkstra en Leo Gestel, among others.
