His Majesty the King will open the cultural program Ter Borch at home in Zwolle on Friday afternoon, September 5. It is a tribute to one of the most important Zwolle artist families of the 17th century, the Ter Borch family. The program offers a unique insight into the urban life of the artistic family in Zwolle.
Two generations of the Ter Borch family captured Zwolles life during one of the most turbulent periods in the citys history. Father Gerard ter Borch the Elder was the master of his daughters Anna and Gesina and his sons Gerard, Harmen, and Mozes. The Academiehuis Grote Kerk, ANNO City Museum Zwolle, and Museum de Fundatie each present exhibitions about and by the various family members.
The visit of King Willem-Alexander begins at the Academiehuis. There, the opening ceremony takes place, and the King receives a tour of the exhibition specifically focusing on Gesina, the talented daughter and sister of the family. Gesinas story is told through her drawings, an animated film, poetry, contemporary fashion, and a mix of image and craft.
Afterwards, the King walks to Museum de Fundatie. During the walk, the King receives an explanation about the exhibition from ANNO City Museum Zwolle. Here, the entire family is central, and visitors experience what the theme of family means today. The exhibition at Museum de Fundatie is a collaboration with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and features over one hundred and twenty works from Dutch, European, and American museums and private collections that have been brought together for the first time in a comprehensive exhibition. The King speaks with the curator and organizer of the exhibition, Marjorie E. Wieseman.
He also meets with French visual artist Chourouk Hriech. She developed an installation that connects contemporary visual language with 17th-century painting, specifically inspired by the Ter Borch family. After the tour, the King speaks with students and teachers from the creative programs ArtEZ and Cibap. During the exhibition period, they showcase their own creative interpretations and visions of Ter Borch at home in Zwolle in the museums drawing studio.
Ter Borch at home in Zwolle is a collaborative project between seven cultural institutions, industry organization Creative Works, and two creative educational organizations. The program runs from September 6, 2025, to February 1, 2026.
RVD, no. 209