


Last week, I visited the Boijmans Van Beuningen Depot, and wow, what an experience! The depot is not just a storage space; it’s a working building where you can see how the collection is maintained, restored, and presented. And let me tell you, it was truly special to be able to admire the museum’s masterpieces from every angle – even from the back!
The back of a painting can tell you much more than you might think. In the new trial installation at the depot (featuring works by Bruegel, Basquiat, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and others), the paintings aren’t hung on the wall; they’re displayed on transparent ‘glass easels’ designed by architect Lina Bo Bardi. (I like them very much.) This unique way of presenting not only lets you see the front of the works but also the back! And trust me, it’s definitely worth it.


What Can You Discover on the Back?
- Material and technique
The back immediately shows you what the painting is made of: canvas or wooden panel. This can reveal a lot about the artist’s technique and process. It’s fascinating not just for art lovers but also for anyone curious about the craftsmanship that goes into creating a masterpiece. - Restoration and repairs
Take a close look, and you might spot small repairs or even see how a thin wooden panel has been reinforced with battens. These subtle clues often indicate that the painting has been maintained and sometimes restored over time. It emphasizes how important it is to be knowledgeable about the techniques for preserving and restoring artworks. - History and provenance
Perhaps most fascinating of all: the back of a painting is often covered with inscriptions, numbers, labels, or seals. These are marks from previous owners and museums that have housed the work. Think of stamps from famous collectors or stickers from other institutions. For example, on the back of Bruegel’s The Tower of Babel, I found a large stamp from Elisabetta Farnese, Queen of Spain. There was even a letter from D.G. van Beuningen, who had stored the painting on his estate during the war—wrapped in a zinc box.

A Back as a New Perspective
By presenting the paintings in this way, the depot breaks with the traditional museum display. It not only invites you to look at the front but also gives you a unique insight into the ‘life’ of the artwork itself. The back tells you so much more about how the work has been handled, preserved, and restored over the years. It makes art literally and figuratively less inaccessible and far more alive.
So, the next time you visit the depot, take the time to look at the back of the paintings. You’ll be amazed by the stories they have to tell. It’s a fantastic way to understand art not just as an object but as part of a much larger story.
And for those who didn’t know: the depot is not just a regular museum; it’s a workshop where art is cared for and presented for the future. It’s a place where art is not only shown but also revealed in all its facets to the public. Truly worth a visit!