Family businesses meet each other in the Noordbrabants Museum. On Tuesday morning, December 5, we were surprised with a select group of customers, relations, and colleagues from Simac by the 'Brueghel family reunion'. “The first Sint gift is from Simac” said Eric van Schagen during his word of welcome to everyone in the Yellow Salon of the museum. This exhibition could be visited since September 30, 2023 and runs until January 7, 2024.
What makes this exhibition so special? "By looking more broadly at all five generations of Brueghel and focusing on multiple facets of the family business. Such as the important role that women have played, the family ties, the tradition that remains visible through the generations, and collaborations and connections with other artist families."Nadia Baadj- Conservator bij Het Noordbrabants Museum
It was a unique morning with a very personal touch. We had the museum to ourselves and ran out of time. In two groups we were guided by very knowledgeable art connoisseurs of the museum. They could tell a story about every detail and let us get acquainted with this special family of painters. The guides surprised us with a great story, we hung on their lips.
As a visitor you often think from your own perspective and the current zeitgeist, the guides (art connoisseurs Anne & Bieke) constantly reminded us that you have to put yourself in the zeitgeist of the time (1550-1700) and the location(s) where the paintings (or sketches) were made. And then suddenly it makes perfect sense that some paintings were actually not as simple to make as they seem.
Take for example 'The Wedding Dance' (village view 1610) by Pieter Brueghel the Younger. There was no (social) media so how do you know what these people are up to? How they live, party, dance, celebrate life and what they drink for example? By party crashing! So that's what Pieter Brueghel the Younger often did.
And what do you think of the 'Floral Still Life with Jewel, Coins and Shells, Biblioteca Ambrosiana' by Jan Brueghel the Elder. You think; this is in the studio, you paint it and done...
But that's not true at all. To start with, these flowers do not all bloom at the same time. If you can't take pictures during that time, how do you remember what these flowers look like when they are in bloom? Jan Brueghel has made many sketches of individual flowers over time. But where did he get all those flowers? Back then, there were no flower shops like we know them today.
And what do you think about that vase underneath, which is a bit small for such a large flower arrangement. Jan Brueghel the Elder did everything to emphasize the splendor, pomp, and grandeur. We think it's perfectly normal to get on a plane and pick up a shell from the beach on the other side of the world, but that wasn't the case at the time, so showing exotic shells (gold coins and other things) in your paintings, that said something about the status of you as a painter and family.
“Dear Michelle, I would like to thank Simac for the fantastic cultural morning at the Noordbrabants museum. Enjoyed the beautiful art and delicious lunch.”Norbert- Bezoeker evenement & klant van Simac
By hearing the story behind it, you understand it better and it becomes especially more fun! We also got that feedback from our guests (relationships of Simac). Some didn't go to a museum very often, others only knew 'The Flemish proverbs' (by Pieter Brueghel the Younger) and nothing more. Everyone told us that it was very fascinating and especially with the story included with all the fun facts, facts and details that are very telling, it comes to life. Only then do you see how special certain paintings are and what role they play in the bigger picture and the spirit of the times.
We started the morning together with a cup of coffee or tea and a Bossche bol (as is customary in Den Bosch) and we ended the morning with a delicious lunch. Taking some time to talk together about the beautiful artworks, the many surprises we discovered and the fascinating story of this large and influential family.
"This was not just a family of painters, it was a family business. For Simac, as a family business, an extra nice link to this exhibition."Michelle- Organisatie evenement Brueghel & Simac in Het Noordbrabants Museum
Why was this family so successful?
First of all, they were really good painters, including the women in the family. Additionally, the role of Mayken Verhulst, mother-in-law of Pieter Brueghel the Elder, was very surprising. She was married to Pieter Coecke van Aelst. She ensured that all pieces of her husband and son-in-law were preserved and she gifted her 2 grandsons with their father's talent by painting a lot with them. She also made sure that sketches of the old Brueghel were released as prints at the right time. She foresaw that there would be demand and she was right! The large network and the many relationships that the Brueghel family had with other well-known artists (nationally and internationally) such as Rubens also contributed to their great success and fame.
Double portrait Pieter Coecke van Aelst and Mayken Verhulst (source-Wiki-CCO)
"The Brueghels: Masters in art and in marketing!" The Brueghels were both artistically and commercially exceptionally influential. This is once again evident from an exhibition in the Noordbrabants Museum about 'the most important family in art history'."Weekblad Elsevier- Over deze tentoonstelling in Het Noordbrabants Museum
Simac Art & Culture Route
Simac has been a proud sponsor of a number of cultural institutions such as museums, theater groups, opera, music associations and so on for many years. Simac holds Art & Culture close to its heart and we would like to share this with many people! Through the Art & Culture Route, Simac brings art to you. Let yourself be inspired and broaden your horizon.
Are you going to walk?
