The De Pont museum in Tilburg has acquired a Painting by René Daniëls With the Help of Marlene Dumas

The acquisition of this painting was made possible through a generous donation by the artist Marlene Dumas. It is the first painting by René Daniëls to be included in the museum's collection, which already has three of his paintings on long-term loan.

Martijn van Nieuwenhuyzen, the director of De Pont, stated, "With 'Lentebloesem,' De Pont has acquired a key work by René Daniëls. This painting is the first in a series in which the artist reflects on his own body of work and the practice of creating exhibitions. He does this through a motif that he repeats twelve times in green paint on a white background in 'Lentebloesem' – the 'butterfly tie,' an image that evokes associations with both a clothing accessory and the perspective of a museum room. It's fantastic that this important work by one of the most renowned Dutch painters is once again accessible to the public thanks to the gesture of a fellow artist."

Marlene Dumas commented, "It is a privilege to contribute to the acquisition of a magnificent work by the most important painter of my generation by a Dutch museum. René Daniëls has developed an unparalleled pictorial language. De Pont has organized wonderful exhibitions of René's work, but the museum was lacking one of his paintings in its permanent collection. René provided unconditional support to me and other young artists and remained an enduring source of inspiration. This is a small token of gratitude."

René Daniëls' layered, paradoxical, and witty body of work has been significant in the development of painting from the very beginning. In his paintings and drawings, he combines humor with seriousness, significant with trivial subjects, and words with images. Moreover, he is constantly aware of the role and history of art and his own position within it. However, his most important asset is his elusiveness. Daniëls has always resisted straightforward interpretations of his work. In his paintings and drawings, he continuously shifts perspectives and allows meanings to float, as if he realizes more than anyone else that it is in doubt that the tension resides. As a result, his work constantly encourages viewers to look and think.

Main Image © René Daniëls, Lentebloemen (1987), olieverf op doek, 150 x 200 cm, Collectie De Pont museum, Tilburg, c/o Pictoright Amsterdam 2023