Mart (IT): Magic Realisms Pyke Koch and Cagnaccio di San Pietro

From 12 April to 31 August 2025

The Mart is presenting an unprecedented comparison between two of the greatest protagonists of Magic Realism, a movement that spread throughout Europe from the early 1920s: the Dutch Pyke Koch and the Italian Cagnaccio di San Pietro.

The exhibition highlights the common features between the two artists’ works, within their respective, distinct and profoundly original approaches. In fact, both created a rigorous realism displaying extraordinary technical skill, inspired by 15th-century masters, and particularly those from Northern Europe. Both Koch and Cagnaccio preferred to depict humble people and environments, often with obvious social implications. The life scenes portrayed by the two painters share a clear, incisive vision, at times painful, at times ironic, with the power to catch the eye and reveal profound and hidden truths, on first glance.
Magic Realisms. Pyke Koch and Cagnaccio di San Pietro

About this artwork:
Nothing appears to be out of the ordinary in this painting of workers in an orchard – until you notice the trail of blood.

Pyke Koch is one of the greatest representatives in the Netherlands of Magic Realism, an artistic movement where the world is presented in realistic detail, but in an odd context or with a strange twist. Koch was known in particular for adding a sinister detail to his paintings.

Catharijneconvent (NL): Between Heaven and War

From 21 February to June 15th 2025

Our work from Gerrit van 't Net will be shown next to works by leading artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Charley Toorop and Max Beckmann. In this exhibition you will discover how artists in the 1920s and 1930s searched for meaning and innovation. Their quest forever changed modern art.

Take a step back in time to explore the turbulent era between the two world wars. Through a selection of powerful works from international collections, you will learn how religion and spirituality played a surprisingly large part in the rapid development of the fine arts in the early 20th century. Between Heaven and War brings together the highlights of European avant-garde art from 1918 to 1939, in a colorful exhibition that touches and inspires.
Visitor information - Catharijneconvent

About this artwork:
Although it was not his only painting style, Gerrit van ‘t Net was one of the few Dutch artists to embrace Surrealism.
Launched in 1924, this movement is known for its irrational, dreamlike imagery. In Orso, the woman at the bottom of the staircase is met by a floating globe before a bizarre background of shapes and images. The colours of her jacket and trousers match the background, creating a strange visual connection.

Museum JAN (NL): Ossip Zadkine - Man, Myth & Metamorphosis

May 16 to November 9th 2025

Ossip Zadkine (1888-1967) was inspired by classical antiquity and nature. His work centres on myths and metamorphoses. Museum JAN in Amstelveen is devoting an exhibition to this Russian-French artist, who enjoys international fame as the creator of the war memorial “The destroyed city” in Rotterdam. Besides a select group of sculptures typical of Zadkine's view of art and artistry, a lesser-known part of his work will also be on display in Amstelveen. With his expressive gouaches, lithographs and etchings, Zadkine demonstrated an exceptional double talent. Ossip Zadkine - Man, Myth and Metamorphosis — Museum JAN

About this artwork:
Produced in 1920, this kneeling female nude with crossed arms embodied a new unique direction for Ossip Zadkine.

This female figure demonstrates Zadkine's appreciation of Cubism and his zeal for developing his own style. The severe, static forms made famous by Picasso and Braque were softened up in Zadkine's hands.

Museum Gouda (NL): Jo Koster, artist

April 19 2025 to January 4th 2026

This exhibition highlights the works of art from the female artist Jo Koster. At at time when women are supposed to marry, take care of children and run a household, artist Jo Koster sets up her own life. She makes her own money, builds her own house ans travels all over Europe. Fresh flower fields, stately snowy mountain peaks, rugged capes, sleepy village views and striking people: looking for space to paint outdoors, she immortalizes it all.
Jo Koster, kunstenaar | Museum Gouda

About this artwork:
A symphony of diagonal lines and subtle variations of light and tones, this work was made by Dutch artist Wim Schuhmacher, who came to be known as the ‘master of grey’.
Schuhmacher painted this view of San Gimignano on one of his many trips to Italy. His bird's-eye view shows the town from the height of the hill further inland. Revealing slight traces of Schuhmacher’s background in Cubism, San Gimignano strikes a curious balance between real and imaginary.

Kunsthal Rotterdam (NL): Blue Zone

June 19th to November 9th 2025

About this artwork:
Scribbled over with blue pens, the fabric of this work by Alicia Framis literally asks us: is this space safe?

This is a part of Framis’s LifeDress series of dresses made out of airbag fabric from cars: a high-tech material made in Japan which is highly resistant to impact and fire. Each dress is made to protect against a different form of harassment and designed to change form when intimidation occurs.