Passions for the Sea - Katwijks Museum.

Katwijk and the sea are inextricably linked. For centuries, sea and shore have shaped life in Katwijk and inspired generations of artists. Early works primarily depict the colourful coastal life, but during the 19th and 20th centuries artists increasingly turned their attention to the sea itself: its vastness, emptiness, movement of the waves and ever-changing light. The sea becomes more than a backdrop; it emerges as an autonomous subject.

The exhibition ‘Passion for the Sea’ brings this diversity of perspectives together. Artists from different generations and disciplines show the many ways in which the sea can be represented — sometimes realistic and monumental, sometimes contemplative or intensely colourful. Just as the appearance of the sea is constantly changing, so too are the artistic interpretations it inspires.

A special highlight of the exhibition is the photographic work of Saskia Boelsums. In the section Seas and Seascapes, her photographs are shown alongside works by renowned artists such as Mesdag, Gruppé and Neumann, as well as the ceramic seascapes of Tilmann Meyer-Faje. Boelsums’ images offer a contemporary yet timeless vision of the sea, focusing on light, atmosphere and a sense of infinity. Her contribution forms a powerful photographic counterpoint to the predominantly painterly maritime tradition.

The section Seas presents nothing but the sea itself, with works by Grobe, Kamerlingh Onnes, Putman, Armando and others. In Fishing, artists including Bartels, Munthe, Mulders and Weismuller are featured. The exhibition concludes with Ben Vroom’s Sea Panorama, a rotating carousel of illuminated photographs.

Katwijk and the Katwijks Museum share a deep passion for the sea. Be inspired by the richness of images and perspectives in ‘Passion for the Sea’, on view at the Katwijk Museum from 1 February 2026.