As talented as Jildou is, she can’t solve everything in-house. “We regularly require passepartout and framing expertise. For example, when we need to reframe a painting that came lose in the frame. I like Goedman + Ooms because of their collaborative approach to finding the best solution, their expert advice on everything from paper options to colors, and their great quality. What solution would enhance an art piece? We can always brainstorm and discuss ideas in-depth. I also love their willingness to be bold and think out of the box. For example, when they suggested a vibrant purple passepartout with a walnut frame. That turned out to complement the painting marvelously.”

Treasure hunting

Before ‘landing’ at Museum Panorama Mesdag, Jildou freelanced for several other museums. “It all started at Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam. Their depot had flooded – grab your rain boots and save the paintings! And I remember thinking… I love this job!” After that, she worked for the Cultural Heritage Agency. “This is where I learned the art and science of Collection Management. It was a wonderful learning environment, and they have a well-varied collection with several masterpieces.” Jildou joined the Museum Panorama Mesdag five years ago. “The fun thing about Mesdag is how compact our collection is, but we have more than just ‘the Panorama.’ The museum manages the oeuvre of Hendrik Willem Mesdag and his wife, Sientje Mesdag-Van Houten. In addition to approximately 150 oil paintings, this encompasses a large collection of sketches, watercolors, gouaches, and photographs that had not been (properly) cataloged yet. We’re working on that now. And it regularly feels like a treasure hunt. You never know what you’ll discover next.”

Welcome to the depot

In addition to the permanent collection, Museum Panorama Mesdag also displays a selection of ‘other art.’ Jildou: “These are temporary exhibits. Sometimes featuring contemporaries of Mesdag and Sientje, such as Suze Robertson. Other times featuring modern artists like Ulrike Heydenreich. As long as there’s a link to our permanent collection. As with Ulrike Heydenreich’s folded panorama landscapes, which suggest an almost mathematical composition.” Goedman + Ooms play a part in the temporary collections, too. “For example, they did a wonderful job for our Suze Robertson exhibit. They gave us loads of helpful advice and reframed and restored several pieces. They even worked on pieces here at our museum depot on multiple occasions. A must, because our insurance policy prohibits us from sending original pieces to their workshop. This flexibility is a real asset in itself – and it comes on top of their expertise and refreshing recommendations!”