mystery solved: a historical story
During the shooting of Tussen Kunst & Kitsch a painting turned up which raised more questions than answers. Willem Jan Hoogsteder asked the viewers at home for clues, and thanks to their help we now know what the painting depicts.
Other media that covered the story:
Sleutelstad
Leidsch Dagblad
Omroep West (from 09:16 min)
Voorschotense Krant
Tussen kunst en kitsch extra
In this special item for Tussen Kunst en Kitsch paintings expert Emilie den Tonkelaar visits the Dutch Royal Collections and the 175 years old artists association Pulchri Studio.
‘Ordinary’ portrait estimated at 100.000 euros in Tussen kunst en kitsch
What seemed to be an ‘ordinary’ portrait of a 19th century family, was not so ordinary after all. Willem Jan Hoogsteder knew it must’ve been painted by Adriaan de Lelie, one of the most popular portrait painters of his time. Knowing that, Hoogsteder estimated the painting at 100.000 euros in Tussen Kunst en Kitsch . This makes it the highest estimated find in the last five years of the television program.
In Quarantine with Art
In the online article “In Quarantine with Art” by AVROTROS, Willem Jan Hoogsteder talks about the miniature portraits of the Winterking and Winterqueen. (In Dutch only)
Tussen Kunst & Kitsch: Rijksmuseum Twenthe Enschede – stuff to show off
In the broadcast of October 14, 2020, our specialist Emilie den Tonkelaar shares her knowledge on Rembrandt’s etchings.
Most expensive find ever
The most expensive find in Tussen Kunst en Kitsch was the painting Het Kantwerkstertje by Joost van Geel in 2011. It was not easy to value the painting, says John Hoogsteder: “I immediately noticed it was a gem and that it was painted in the 17th century, but I was not sure about the attribution. Theoretically it had everything to be a Metsu, but still I hesitated.
During the recording days of Tussen Kunst en Kitsch we have to give an expertise very quickly about objects we have never seen before. I told the owner this was an important painting, but that I wanted to do more research first. Finally I found out that at the end of the 19th century, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam had bought a painting that was also once attributed to Metsu, later turning out to be by the artist Joost van Geel. Confirmed also by the remnants of the signature, it could then be established that the Kunst & Kitsch painting is by Joost van Geel.” John Hoogsteder valued the painting at € 250.000 euros.
Pieter Brueghel de Jonge
During Tussen Kunst en Kitsch recordings in 2009, John Hoogsteder discovered a tondo by Pieter Brueghel de Jonge. The attribution that Hoogsteder had to make on the spot was later confirmed by supportive research. The picture is now on display at Rijksmuseum Twenthe.