The Dutch state has officially added an untitled painting by the late musician and artist Herman Brood to the Rijkscollectie, marking the first time the singer’s work has been included in the national collection of over 120,000 items. According to the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed (RCE), the acquisition serves to grant Brood more prestige as a 20th-century icon, NOS Nieuws reported.
Validation of the Brood Painting
The acrylic work, which depicts two men with a firearm, previously hung in an office at the Belastingdienst. Because the market for Brood’s work is frequently affected by forgeries and fraudulent certificates, the RCE spent months verifying the piece’s origins. The agency confirmed the painting is an authentic work from the early 1990s after consulting with Stichting Valsbrood, a team of three former friends of the artist who specialize in identifying fakes.
Artistic Style and Historical Context
In a statement, the agency noted that his early work remains creative and original, highlighting his experimentation with various techniques. The curators specifically pointed to his use of primary colors—a choice influenced by the artist’s color blindness—and his tendency to apply paint using hypodermic needles.
The RCE characterized this method as the artist’s own version of "action painting," or perhaps more accurately, "rock-‘n-roll on canvas." This addition places Brood alongside a diverse range of artists within the national collection, including 17th-century masters like Rembrandt van Rijn, Govert Flinck, and Ferdinand Bol, as well as modernists such as Piet Mondriaan, Karel Appel, and Armando.
Public Presentation in Amersfoort
The Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed presented the newly acquired painting to the public at the Collectiecentrum Nederland in Amersfoort. Brood, who founded his band Wild Romance in 1976 and is known for the song "Saturday Night," shifted his primary focus toward visual arts in the late 1980s.
Common Questions Regarding the National Collection
Why was this specific painting selected for the national collection?
The RCE selected the work to elevate Brood’s status as a 20th-century icon, noting that his early creative output demonstrates a clear, recognizable artistic hand that deserves formal recognition alongside established masters.
How did the state ensure the painting was not a forgery?
The RCE collaborated with Stichting Valsbrood, a specialized group of the artist’s former associates. This team verified the painting’s authenticity, concluding it was produced in the early 1990s.
Where was the painting located before its acquisition?
The untitled piece was previously displayed on the walls of the Belastingdienst before being moved into the official state collection.
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