In 2011, it will be the 130th anniversary of Panorama Mesdag, the world’s largest panoramic circular painting. The panorama was painted by Hendrik Willem Mesdag almost 130 years ago and shows The Hague, the nearby seaside resort of Scheveningen and the North Sea in amazing detail. Mesdag, who was chair of the Hague School of painters at the time, left The Hague a unique work of art that forms part of the city’s cultural heritage.
Apart from the panoramic painting that lends Panorama Mesdag its name, the museum also has a permanent exhibition of Mesdag's work and alternating exhibitions of fine art related to Mesdag, panoramic images or The Hague and local artists. This tradition has continued since Hendrik Willem Mesdag and his wife Sientje organised exhibitions in the same building in the 19th Century.
Step into the largest painting of the Netherlands with the museumkaart
As of 1 July 2010 museumkaart holders can visit Panorama Mesdag free of charge. A good neighbour is important but often you see far too little of one another. Enjoy the luxury of a “private beach” and pop by more often. Discover how the Panorama changes depending on the time of day. You are always welcome at Panorama Mesdag!
Renovation of Panorama Mesdag after summer
5 August 2010 – The project to expand and renovate the Panorama Mesdag musuem in The Hague will start after the summer.
The museum will get an additional exhibition space and museum café. Panorama Mesdag will also open a museum shop on the Zeestraat side.
The construction work will cost approximately € 6 to 7 million. In recent months the roof and foundation have been successfully reinforced. The roof and foundation were sinking due to the construction of a hotel parking garage next to the museum. This posed a threat to the gigantic panorama of Scheveningen which was painted by Hendrik Willem Mesdag at the end of the 19th century.
The museum will remain open seven days a week during the construction project.
Source: www.denhaag.nl
First phase of renovation work starts at Panorama Mesdag
6 January 2010 – Renovation work started on Monday 4 January at the Panorama Mesdag museum. The publicity campaign Laat het doek niet vallen! Red Panorama Mesdag! (Don’t let the curtain fall. Save Panorama Mesdag!) has brought in three million euros; enough to get the first phase of the renovation plan underway.
A couple of years ago, the property adjacent to the museum was purchased and this will be converted to house the museum's office the during the first phase of work. In later phases a spearate entrance and exit for visitors, a restaurant and a glass wall with a view of the rotunda in which the huge canvas hangs will be added.
More details ...
How to make a contribution ...
Adopt a piece of Panorama Mesdag
As of September 2009, it will be possible for people to adopt a piece of the famous painting-in-the round, the Panorama Mesdag in The Hague. The ‘adoptions’ will cost upwards of five euro and sponsors will receive a certificate with a picture of their part of the Panorama.
This is part of a fund-raising scheme to bring in 600,000 for rebuilding. The museum wishes to expand its current facilities to include a venue for educational purposes, a new exhibition hall and a restaurant. The entire project will cost five million euro.
Source: www.thehagueonline.com
