Light, sky, space and a humanist vision

Exhibition April 12 – October 4

The former residence that is now the Chabot Museum, is characteristic of the new objective style: the architectural movement that emerged in the 1920s. Modern ideas and new materials such as reinforced concrete enabled architects to design open spaces full of light. Light, sky and space: that was their ideal. A vision that matched the humanist philosophy of the time perfectly.

Artist Henk Chabot, after whom this museum is named, shared that humanist perspective. Human dignity, freedom and a personal vision are all key aspects of his work.

This exhibition demonstrates how Chabot’s work complements the villa’s architecture. Both express a positive view of mankind. A mindset that was abruptly shattered by the air raid that set Rotterdam ablaze at the start of the Second World War.

The exhibition showcases a selection of key works from the Chabot Museum’s collection. Important works by Henk Chabot tell the story of the interwar period, alongside those of contemporaries such as Ossip Zadkine, Jan Kamman and Emmy Andriesse, and later kindred spirits such as Klaas Gubbels and Anne Wenzel.

1. Henk Chabot, Zee, 1946, olieverf op doek. 
2. Henk Chabot, De Vervolgden, 1944, olieverf op doek. 
3. Klaas Gubbels, Brand van Rotterdam, 1988, aquarel op papier.
4. Jan Kamman, Van Nellefabriek, ca. 1930, negatiefmontage.