Betzy Akersloot-Berg – One of a kind

Impressive seascapes, rugged coastlines, and a masterful interplay of light and air: discover the extraordinary oeuvre of Betzy Akersloot-Berg (1850–1922) at Museum Panorama Mesdag in The Hague.

Betzy Akersloot-Berg (1850–1922) was one of the most remarkable female painters of her time. With large, expressive seascapes and rugged coastal landscapes, she secured a place in the international art world. Critics from 1890 described her work as full of daring, individuality, and power. Museum Panorama Mesdag in The Hague is dedicating an entire exhibition to her life and work.

Masterpieces from home and abroad

The exhibition in The Hague brings together exceptional loans from national and international museums. The highlight is the impressive painting After the Storm from the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm. Additionally, works from the Perspektivet Museum in Tromsø (Norway), Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, and various private collections are on display. Many of these paintings have rarely, if ever, been shown publicly before.

Pioneer in a man’s world

Betzy Akersloot-Berg was far ahead of her time. She was among the first artists in the Netherlands to legally protect her work and consciously built an international career. She exhibited Dutch seascapes in Norway and Norwegian coastal landscapes in the Netherlands. Early in her career, the Dutch press compared her to the great names of her generation.

From The Hague to Vlieland

Following an acquaintance with Hendrik Willem Mesdag in Brussels, Betzy Berg moved to The Hague. There, a close friendship developed with both Hendrik Willem and his wife, Sientje Mesdag-van Houten. After her marriage, she settled on Vlieland, where she worked for decades from what is now called Museum Tromp’s Huys. The Wadden Island remained her central source of inspiration, while she also continued to remain active internationally.

Publication and public program

Around the exhibition, Museum Panorama Mesdag is organizing lectures, exclusive guided tours, and other activities. An eponymous publication is also being released alongside the exhibition, offering new insights into her life and work. It is available in the museum shop and webshop.

Want to know more about this exhibition?

The exhibition Betzy Akersloot-Berg. One of a Kind is an opportunity to (re)discover an extraordinary artist. Would you like to know more or plan your visit in advance? Check the current information on the website of Museum Panorama Mesdag in The Hague.

Image copyright: Betzy Akersloot-Berg, Bird Rock near Gjesvaer, Collection Museum Tromp’s Huys, Vlieland

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