Among the most outstanding is Drei Häuser mit Schlitzen, a masterly monumental triptych by Martin Kippenberger, who died in 1997 – the first painting by this influential artist to be included in any public collection in the Netherlands. It is striking how many of these new acquisitions demonstrate a clear – if sometimes indirect – involvement with political or social issues.
In Rome (2007), the personal also becomes political and vice versa. The imposing canvas is by Luc Tuymans (b. 1958) and has been acquired for the Monique Zajfen Collection (which is allied to the Stedelijk). Tuymans frequently blends references to his Catholic, Belgian background with film footage of mass public events – in this case the investiture of a Belgian cardinal at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome – to produce a vision of a church triumphant.
Only the first part of the exhibition will be open from December the 22nd. The second part that helds the works above will be opens Friday January the 18th at 17h.