THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS.-The Mauritshuis will be hosting an exhibition of paintings by Frans van Mieris the Elder from October 1, 2005 to January 22, 2006. Van Mieris is one of the most eminent representatives of the Dutch ‘fijnschilders’ (‘fine’ or neat painters). In an attempt to present a perfect mirror of reality, these 17th-century artists depicted fabrics and other materials in a highly meticulous and detailed manner. In the past decades, works by Frans van Mieris have played a crucial role in international exhibitions of Dutch painting. This show, however, is the first to be devoted solely to the artist and his oeuvre, and will include approximately 35 paintings (6 from the Mauritshuis’ permanent collection) and several drawings. The exhibition is jointly organized by Dr. Otto Naumann, the Van Mieris expert, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

FRANS VAN MIERIS - Frans van Mieris was born in Leiden on April 16, 1635. After initially apprenticing as a goldsmith he turned to painting around 1650. He was first a pupil of the glass painter Abraham Toorenvliet and the portraitist Abraham van den Tempel, subsequently continuing his pupillage with Gerrit Dou, who dubbed him the ‘Prince’ of his pupils. In 1657 he married Cunera van der Cock, who bore him two sons, Jan and Willem, both of whom followed in their father’s footsteps. The family resided in Leiden and belonged to the Remonstrant Congregation. Van Mieris joined the local Saint Luke’s Guild on May 14, 1658, serving as its ‘hoofdman’ (leader) in 1663 and 1664 and as dean in 1665.

DILIGENCE AND THE PATIENCE OF A SAINT - With utmost diligence and patience Van Mieris painted interiors, scenes from daily life and portraits, primarily in a small format. He made likenesses of well-to-do burghers, famous or important residents of Leiden, and self-portraits and portraits of his wife Cunera van der Cock. He also produced a few history pieces and allegorical scenes. The strength of his work lies in his subtle and remarkable painting technique and palette. The way in which he depicted the various fabrics, materials and textures is nothing short of miraculous: an almost perfect miniature rendering of reality.

HUMAN INTERACTIONS - Van Mieris’ genre scenes present everyday situations in which human interactions and subtle undertones are faithfully and ingeniously conveyed. These small refined paintings abound with moralising messages and references to love. Humour and eroticism are often essential features and add greatly to the appeal of his works.
Van Mieris’ drawn oeuvre is also remarkable. The show includes several preliminary studies of a number of paintings, several of which will be on view, as well as independent drawings by the artist.

INTERNATIONAL FAME - Van Mieris’ patrons include such luminaries as Archduke Leopold Wilhelm (1614-1662) in Vienna and the Italian Grand Duke Cosimo de’ Medici (1642-1723) in Florence. They held the artist in high esteem and rewarded him royally for his services. Paintings by Van Mieris from these princely collections are presently found in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence. It is interesting to note that Van Mieris turned down an offer to become court painter in Vienna. He remained in Leiden and, in so far known, never left his birthplace for any great length of time. Frans van Mieris died on March 12, 1681 and was buried in the Pieterskerk.

FIRST GERRIT DOU, NOW FRANS VAN MIERIS - The exhibition of Frans van Mieris’ work dovetails perfectly with Gerrit Dou 1613-1675 that was mounted in the Mauritshuis in the winter of 2000-2001. This extremely well received show was proof of the appeal still exerted by Dutch painting in this refined, elegant and detailed style. Van Mieris’ work is indelibly linked to that of his teacher Gerrit Dou. Though Dou is better known, Van Mieris may be justly characterized as the best and most important of the fijnschilders: his brushstrokes are even finer, the animation of the scenes greater, and the color scheme and rendering of texture more sumptuous still.

TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION - Preparatory to the exhibition a number of paintings by Van Mieris were examined with the most up-to-date technical means. A report of this investigation is included in the catalogue.