The Drents Museum has purchased a painting thanks to a donation from the Dutch Aardoly Maatschappij (NAM). The oil company handed over a check of 500,000 euros, of which the museum wants to make multiple art purchases. At the same time, the donation heralds the sponsorship of NAM.
The check was organized in honor of the 75-year anniversary of the NAM in 2022. The Drents Museum initially wanted to use the money for growing the main entrance. Because this is canceled, it has been decided to buy art from it.
The first work has since been purchased. It’s about painting Das Dreibein by the German artist Neo Rauch. The work is part of the exhibition Hotspot leipzig – highlights from the collection, shown in the museum from mid -November.
Rauch, an internationally prominent artist, is considered the figurehead of the Neue Leipziger Schule. Figuration is central within this group of artists who all studied at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst in Leipzig. The Drents Museum owns about eighty paintings of this art form, but a work by Rauch was missing so far. The purchase of Das Dreibein is a ‘crown’ on the collection, the museum writes.
The NAM has been the main sponsor of the Drents Museum for years. However, the petroleum company stops sponsorship. The close band will continue to exist, since the company joins the museum’s business club. “We look back with pride and gratitude on a great 50-year relationship with the museum for which we are also grateful to them,” said NAM director Martijn van Haaster.
Museum director Harry Tupan: “We are incredibly grateful for the way in which the NAM has given substance to her sponsorship for 50 years, also by making large exhibitions possible Viva La Frida! and Traveling with Vincent. “