The History and Treasures of Zeeuws Museum
The Zeeuws Museum is situated within the medieval abbey of Middelburg. This site preserves more than 30,000 art treasures. The collection includes the historical holdings of het Koninklijk Zeeuwsch Genootschap der Wetenschappen. These objects provide a record of the region's scientific and cultural development.
A significant portion of the museum is dedicated to Zeeuwse klederdracht, the traditional dress of Zeeland. This collection is displayed in vitrines that highlight the specific materials and construction of the garments. Alongside these textiles, the museum holds various historical objects. These include an ivory sundial, a dragon, and an Indian headdress. These items represent the diverse interests and collections gathered over several centuries.
The Famous Tapestries of Zeeland
The collection includes six large-scale works commissioned by the States of Zeeland between 1593 and 1604. These pieces depict six specific battles from the Eighty Years’ War. To execute this series, the States General commissioned four weavers to produce the works. The imagery focuses on the maritime conflicts of the period, showing burning ships and officers navigating sandbanks during naval engagements.
The series functions as a visual record of the struggle for independence. A recurring motif throughout the works is the Zeeland motto, Luctor et Emergo, which translates to "I struggle and win." This theme of persistence is central to the historical narrative presented in the textiles. The compositions also include a portrait of William of Orange.
Masterpieces and Notable Artworks
The collection contains significant examples of Early Netherlandish painting, including the Middelburg Altar. Completed in 1450 by Rogier van der Weyden, this work represents a pivotal moment in the development of the style. The museum also holds works from the Dutch Golden Age, such as the 1650 still-life by Jan Goedart and Adriaen van de Venne's 1650 depiction of Fighting Beggars. These pieces reflect the shifting artistic interests of the seventeenth century.
Portraiture and still-life studies are represented through several key holdings. Godfried Schalcken’s Portrait of Elisabeth Talliarde (1654-1689) dates to about 1679. Nearby, Adriaen Coorte’s Vanitas still life in a niche, from about 1688, offers a study in composition and light. The museum's scope extends into the twentieth century with Piet Mondrian’s Apple tree in blue with wavy lines I, painted about 1908.
