natural haarlem and surroundings – antoon erftemeijer and otto schilling
For centuries, painters and draftsmen have traveled through the picturesque surroundings of HaarlemIn their wake, Erftemeijer and Schilling made numerous trips over the past fifteen years, equipped with watercolour materials (Schilling) and acrylic paint (Erftemeijer). They painted impressions on the spot, in direct contact with their subject. From the serene beauty of the Haarlemmerhout, the vibrant colours of the bulb fields to the peaceful atmosphere of estates such as Elswout. Nature is not always 'beautiful', and sometimes even life-threatening, but according to Erftemeijer and Schilling it is the beautiful side that asks to be captured.
Each painting session lasts three to five hours, interrupted by short breaks to stretch your legs, view your work from a distance and discuss each other's progress. When Erftemeijer and Schilling go out, they never know in advance what awaits them. They are often confronted with changing weather conditions, changes in light or materials that do not always cooperate. Antoon: "Sometimes a work goes wrong, other times I have 'the spirit'. Circumstances can be helpful - nice weather, no wind, silence - but they can also be against me. Once I was in the Haarlemmerhout by a giant dog that ran off with my lunch. Other times we were surprised by a thunderstorm, or by a strong wind, which made further work impossible. Sometimes a farmer brings a cup of coffee. People regularly come to see what we do. Once a man looked at our work critically, and then said: “Very nice, gentlemen, such a hobby. My wife also paints watercolours!” Well, there you are with your academy diploma and high ambitions.”
Yet it is precisely the moments when the paintings go haywire that make Erftemeijer and Schilling realize how elusive and special our natural environment actually is. Their works are an ode to this unique part of the Netherlands. Of course Haarlem & surroundings is can be admired until April 27, 2025. The exhibition is also accompanied by a book of the same name, available for € 20,00 in the museum shop and in bookstores.
