Holland Museum > Exhibitions > Holland Museum > Mathias Alten in the Netherlands: Newly Acquired Works by the Dean of Michigan Painters

Mathias Alten in the Netherlands: Newly Acquired Works by the Dean of Michigan Painters

On display at the Holland Museum from July 19 – October 19

Earlier this year, Anita M. Gilleo, one of five surviving grandchildren of Mathias Alten, donated nine Alten paintings that have not previously been exhibited to the public. Mathias Alten (1871–1938) was a German-American impressionist painter active in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is best known for his land- and seascapes, of which are the highlight of this new collection.

Gilleo said, “A home at the Holland Museum was chosen for these vignettes of Dutch life in the early 20th century because of this area’s strong Dutch heritage. My grandfather and his family lived in the Netherlands for a year at the peak of international respect for modern painters in the Netherlands of that era.”

The paintings are from Alten’s time in the Netherlands from 1910-1911. Alten traveled to Scheveningen, a north seashore town in the Netherlands where he painted large work horses and fishing boats with his wife and three daughters. Previously inspired by Hague artists, it was important to Alten to paint iconic Dutch scenes to honor this traditional painting style. His time in Holland inspired paintings of people, homes, canals, seascapes, landscapes and windmills.

In addition to the nine newly acquired works, the Museum will have four additional Alten paintings on loan from private collections, including one self-portrait from Ms. Gilleo and three from a private collection in the Netherlands.

News Article: Alten’s Granddaughter Gifts Museum Another Painting

by Sentinel Staff
Posted October 16, 2010

Exhibit sponsored by

 

 

Holland Museum

Holland Museum
31 W. 10th Street
Holland, MI 49423

The Holland Museum tells the story of Holland, Michigan, from its settlement by Dutch immigrants to today’s innovative, successful, and diverse community. Featuring thousands of fascinating historic objects, as well as artwork from the Netherlands from the 1600s through the 1900s, our permanent History and Dutch Galleries are not to be missed.

MUSEUM HOURS
Open Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

SPARK!LAB SMITHSONIAN
Spark!Lab Smithsonian encourages children and families to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment, problem-solve, and invent. Enjoy hands-on STEAM activities that combine traditional science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with art, history, and creativity.

FALL SPARK!LAB HOURS 

FREE Second Mondays* from 4:00–7:00 PM only
Friday: 11:00–5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00–4:00 p.m.
Spark!Lab is included with Museum admission

*FREE SECOND MONDAYS
In addition to regular hours, join us for our “FREE Second Mondays” from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m each month. Check our calendar for specific dates. Sponsored by The Meijer Foundation.

ADMISSION AND DISCOUNTS

Admission 
$7.00 for adults
$6.00 for senior adult
$4.00 for students with a valid college ID and kids 6-18 
FREE: Holland Museum members and children ages 5 and under are free.
$1.00 Museums for All admission (EBT or WIC card holder, $1.00/person, up to 4 people per card).

Discounts
The Holland Museum offers an admission discount to Veteran’s, active military, and educators. If you are active military, the discount applies each person in your party. If you are a veteran or educator, the discount applies to that person only. Admission for veterans, active military, and educators is $5.

CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THESE 2023 HOLIDAYS 

  • Memorial Day, May 27
  • Independence Day, July 4
  • Labor Day, September 2
  • Thanksgiving Day, November 28
  • Christmas Eve, December 24
  • Christmas Day, December 25
  • New Year’s Eve, December 31
  • New Year’s Day, January 1, 2025


ACCESSIBILITY
The Museum has a handicapped-accessible entrance on the east side of the building next to the circle drive. To access the building, please press the button to the right of the door and the front desk will buzz visitors in. Take the elevator from the ground floor (G) to the first level (1L) and you will arrive behind the reception desk. There is also a wheelchair available for patron use. Each level of the museum is handicapped accessible, as are the restrooms. If you have any specific needs, please call the front desk at (616) 796-3329.

PARKING 
The Holland Museum is located at the corner of 10th Street and River Avenue, across from Centennial Park. Please use the parking lot behind the museum on 9th Street or street parking is available along 10th Street. Handicap accessibility is available from the east side of the building.

BLUE STAR MUSEUM 
We are a Blue Star Museum and offer free admission to active military and their families from Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 2023, through  Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 2, 2023.

MUSEUM BUILDING RENTALS
For information about Museum building rentals, please contact David Hawley-Lowry at dhawley@hollandmuseum.org

Learn more