Exhibition 'Aan het Gein' shows the beauty of the landscape around this small river seen through the eyes of Piet Mondrian, Annemieke Harkema, Anna Khodorovich and Dannis van der Heiden.
Between Driemond and Abcoude flows the Gein, a small river about six kilometres long. It meanders through an archetypal Dutch landscape of water and meadows, farms and windmills. It is a special area, where Piet Mondrian (1872-1944) could often be found at the beginning of his artistic career. The artist regularly went out by bike to sketch and paint along the Gein. The landscape just outside Amsterdam (his hometown at the time) constantly inspired the still young painter to experiment with colour, light and composition. Between 1905-1907, the landscape around the Gein was practically the only one Mondrian painted. He made more than a hundred works along the river during that period.
The Gein continues to inspire painters and photographers today, each in their own way capturing the nature and atmosphere of this beautiful part of the Netherlands. The exhibition On the Gein at the Mondrian House this summer shows the beauty of the river seen not only through the eyes of Piet Mondrian, but also of Annemieke Harkema, Anna Khodorovich and Dannis van het Heiden.
Annemieke Harkema
lives and works in Amersfoort, but grew up in Abcoude, where, as a true outdoor child, she often went to the river. This is where the fascination for the Gein began, which has become an integral part of both her life and her art. In her studio Annemieke Harkema (1958) develops her on-site sketches into expressive drawings with charcoal, pencil or watercolour. Harkema builds up her work layer by layer in a style that is loose and at the same time very precise. This nonchalant precision demands the utmost concentration. It sometimes takes several days before the first lines are on paper.
Anna Khodorovich
Also in the work of Anna Khodorovich (1974), we see the Gein again. This artist was born in Russia and has lived and worked in the Netherlands since 2004. She prefers painting outdoors, where the constantly changing nature fascinates her. From her studio in Amsterdam, the artist - like Mondrian over a hundred years ago - regularly cycles to the Gein to paint on the waterfront. To capture the moment, Khodorovich works quickly; the works she paints outdoors are finished in one painting session. With vibrant colours and a loose brushstroke, she captures a personal interpretation of the moving landscape. The river has her special attention in this regard. Khodorovich likes to be inspired by the flowing water that gets its colour in the reflection of the surroundings.
Dannis van der Heiden
The polder landscape around the Gein also invites unusual landscape photography. A good example is the work of Amersfoort native Dannis van der Heiden. The photographer went to Abcoude several times in recent months to capture the right atmosphere and colours around the little river. Some of his photos are now on life-size display in the Mondrian House. They bring the Dutch landscape into the museum. See also the photo at the top of this page.
Amersfoort's watery world
In Amersfoort, home to the Mondrian House, water plays an indispensable role. From the picturesque canals meandering through the old city centre to the modern water artworks you encounter in surprising places, Amersfoort lives with and through water. Whether you are a lover of peaceful walks along the water, like to delve into the city's rich history or are just looking for refreshing activities for during the summer; Amersfoort offers it all. Apart from exhibition On the Gein there is much more to see and do in the city.
Mondrian route along the Gein
Take a look around the Gein yourself? And discover the places where all the works in the exhibition originated? Then cycle the Mondrian route Along the river Gein of Gifted Art Foundation, whose mission is to bring art closer to the public.
Exhibition On the Gein can be seen at the Mondrian House from 15 June to 13 October 2024.