Amsterdam's Stedelijk Museum exhibits one of Keith Haring's greatest museum pieces after 30 years

by Redazione , published on 09/05/2023
Categories: Museums / Disclaimer
From May 26 to Nov. 5, 2023, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam will exhibit after more than 30 years Keith Haring's monumental drawing "Amsterdam Notes," which the artist made in 1986 for his exhibition at the Dutch museum.

At the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, in the IMC room, Keith Haring’s Amsterdam Notes will be on display after more than 30 years. On view from May 26 to Nov. 5, 2023, it is a 38-meter-long drawing that the celebrated American artist created especially for his exhibition at the Dutch museum venue in 1986. It is one of his largest museum works: it is a black ink drawing bordered by a red acrylic paint frame; it depicts fantastic monsters and strange animals, human figures dancing, flying and jumping among these creatures. There are no typical Haring figures, such as radiant children or barking dogs.

There is a reference, however, to some of the social themes more dear to the artist, related to the sexual sphere (male and female genitalia are noted). The drawn fish is probably a playful reference to his surname (Haring means herring in Dutch).

For the 1986 exhibition, Keith Haring created, in addition to Amsterdam Notes, a large canvas that hung above the monumental staircase and a huge sea monster on the facade of the former museum depot (in the current Central Market building). The latter work returned to view for all to see in 2018.

The Amsterdam Notesdrawing, which Rein Wolfs, director of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, has described as a Holy Grail for Keith Haring fans, will thus soon be back on view where the artist made it.

Image: Keith Haring at work on Amsterdam Notes at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. Photo by Rob Bogaerts. National Archives / Anefo. Amsterdam © Keith Haring Foundation.

Amsterdam's Stedelijk Museum exhibits one of Keith Haring's greatest museum pieces after 30 years
Amsterdam's Stedelijk Museum exhibits one of Keith Haring's greatest museum pieces after 30 years


Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.