News su design ed architettura

Glorious Delft Blue

About showing off then and now

On Thursday, January 17, the exhibition Glorious Delft Blue was opened at Royal Delft; the only remaining factory of over 30 earthenware factories that were established in Delft in the 17th century. Glorious Delft Blue revolves entirely around the Golden Age; a period of grandeur and 'showing off'. The Dutch Golden Age (17th century) is a period in which the Dutch, thanks to the VOC trade missions, got acquainted with beautiful new products like the Chinese pottery on which Delft Blue was inspired. But also, silk, spices and Persian carpets.

Showing off in the Golden age Flaunting was part of daily life in the Golden Age: the status of people was visible in homes, clothing and art. Wealthy families were portrayed in their most beautiful costumes and with their most valuable possessions. Delft Blue can be seen regularly in the paintings, as well as pearls, silk and Persian carpets.

Showing off now In five themes - trade & new flavours, interior design, tulip mania, portraits and fashion - the exhibition establishes the relationship with flaunting in the Golden Age and contemporary design and trends. It delivers evidence that the Golden age is still very much alive today. Dutch furniture designer Ruben van Megen, among others, is influenced by the Golden Age. His dining table Café 6116 is exhibited. Café 6116 is inspired by and made from Persian carpets. Ruben uses used carpets to make table tops. The scars that remain visible are the evidence of its previous life. The use of the Persian carpet as a tablecloth dates from the Golden Age; the carpets were very exclusive, and it was a shame to put them on the floor where they would be smeared by muddy shoes. Aristocrats were often portrayed, showing off all that gave status, as with a Persian carpet. Among other things, these portraits inspired Ruben van Megen to the exhibited design.

Within the exhibition, in addition to the many iconic pieces of Delft blue earthenware, work by Meisterwerke whose beautiful woven artworks are exhibited, Marie Cécile Thijs’ exclusive portraits are included in the exhibition and Tess van Zalingen, which shows several dresses inspired by Delfts blue.

The Glorious Delft Blue exhibition runs until June 30, 2019. Royal Delft is open 7 days a week, for current opening times and more information: www.royaldelft.com.