Men in Helene’s life - The life, the love, the art and the construction

November 19th, 2010 - February 27th, 2011

The exhibition Men in Helene’s life will give an intimate and personal insight into this woman, who, with her collection, laid the foundations for one of the first museums of modern art in the Netherlands. The reason for this exhibition is the publication of the long awaited biography of Helene Kröller-Müller.

Despite her own vitality and independent spirit, Helene Kröller-Müller regarded women – including herself – as creatures largely incapable of great achievements. Perhaps for this reason she surrounded herself with a number of talented men, to help her realize her life’s ambition. By listening to their advice, but also often whole-heartedly disagreeing with them, she was able to build a ‘monument to culture’ that would belong to the Dutch people.

In four exhibition spaces the life of Helene Kröller-Müller is revealed through the prism of the men in her life. Helene’s childhood in Germany and her first few years in the Netherlands are examined in life. In these years her father Wilhelm Müller and husband Anton expand the family business Müller & Co into a highly profitable concern, which enables the later acquisition of art. Initially, Helene’s love is devoted to her children, but is later directed increasingly toward her kindred spirit, sounding board and successor Sam van Deventer. Her acquaintance with modern art represents a turning point.

Her advisor H.P. Bremmer and the art of Vincent van Gogh provide her with a new goal in life and transform her into an ambitious collector. Her growing self-awareness can be seen in the construction. Helene offers H.P. Berlage commissions including that for the St. Hubertus Hunting Lodge, but he never completes the work due to the continual disputes with Helene. After numerous difficulties and setbacks, in 1938 Helene is able to open her museum, which is designed by Henry van de Velde.

The works of art in this exhibition – both celebrated major works and modest, though enlightening acquisitions – each reveal in their own manner a particular facet of Helene’s life. Alongside these, personal effects and photographs from her legacy are also on display.

The biography is available from mid-November (for now) only in a Dutch edition: De eeuwigheid verzameld. Helene Kröller-Müller (1869-1939), author Eva Rovers, Publisher Bert Bakker, ISBN 9789035135512.

Photo: Helene Kröller-Müller flanked by her confidant Sam van Deventer (left) and her husband Anton Kröller