Amsterdam Adventure (2012 Senior Associate Trip)
Imagine
walking in Amsterdam’s historic district in the morning mist along the Amstel
canal. You arrive at the door of a 17th century residence, and are
welcomed in by a distinguished young gentleman, Jan Six, who is the
11th generation descendent of Jan Six I, a friend and patron
of Rembrandt van Rijn. You cross the threshold and enter a world of Dutch
masterpieces collected and commissioned by the family since the Golden Age of
the 17th century. Jan graciously guides you through the rooms of
family portraits, furniture, and objets d’art. There are several of Dr. Tulp, later featured
in Rembrandt’s “The Anatomy Lesson.” A portrait of Hendrik Six includes a
camellia plant that he first imported from Japan in 1823. A camellia from the
same stock is flourishing in the conservatory. In the corner there is the harp,
an aigrette with ostrich feathers, and a silver inkstand that are featured in
other portraits. At the end of the tour you reach a room with Rembrandt’s painting of Jan Six I –
with extraordinary brushwork – which only rarely is seen outside the family.
After
lunch at a fashionable brasserie, you walk to the ultra modern van Gogh Museum to
meet with Director Axel Rüger for a personal guided tour. He is equally as
engaging. The collection holds over 200 paintings by the artist, mainly from the
estate of the artist’s brother, Theo van Gogh.
And
this was only the first day of an 8-day trip!
On May
10th thirty-one MFA Senior Associates embarked on an adventure to
Amsterdam, The Hague, Bruges and Brussels. Superbly organized by Sharon Fownes
’10, and with the thoughtful and generous expertise of Rose-Marie van Otterloo,
it was a truly memorable trip. There were masterpieces of art to be seen – with
guided tours by museum directors and curators – at the Rijksmuseum, Frans Hals
Museum, Kröller-Müller, and Mauritshuis. There
were fields of tulips and manicured gardens at Keukenhof and Floriade. Plus tours of Anne Frank’s house and the royal Het
Loo Palace! Afternoon walks highlighted Dutch architecture in the historic
towns of Leiden, Bruges and Ghent. Fine dining included a gourmet
dinner cruise on Amsterdam canals, and we happily gobbled up treats such as
Belgian waffles and Bruges chocolates. Hotel accommodations were luxurious and
full of charm. And, of course, there was shopping – especially during the visit
to the last remaining Royal Delft pottery works where artisans were hand
painting blue and white ware and where SAs were eager to purchase their
handiwork.
The days of
travel were full of lively friendship, lots of laughter, and that special MFASA
esprit de corps. It was a spectacular trip!
Mary
Lord and Ginny Bradley 2012