From the exhibition website, 11 January 2012
In the summer of 2012, Oranienbaum Palace will be hosting an exhibition of contemporary Dutch Design and fashion in combination with historical artefacts from the Dutch Royal Archives. Built for Henriette Catharina, Princess of Anhalt-Dessau, Oranienbaum is part of the heritage of the House of Orange-Nassau. With a major conservation and refurbishment process nearing completion, the palace and its park have been restored to their former grandeur.
Excellent craft at the court…
Some 50 rooms in the palace feature examples of contemporary excellence in craftsmanship – furniture, jewellery, glass and ceramics, hand-sewn fashion items and accessories – set off with examples of china and other decorative arts. Care has been taken to reflect the original function of each room.
Honthorst and van Dyck..
The walls are hung with splendid portraits of Queen Beatrix, Princess Máxima, Amalia van Solms, Prince Frederik Hendrik and Prince Willem II. Honthorst and van Dyck next to Dutch design at the court.
The exhibition features work by prominent Dutch designers like Viktor & Rolf, Gijs Bakker, Hella Jongerius, Spijkers & Spijkers, Marcel Wanders, Jan Taminiau, Iris van Herpen, Ineke Hans, Scholten & Baijings and Piet Hein Eek. However, young up-and-coming talent is also in evidence.
With its Delft blue tile panels, royal portraits, ornate ceilings and decorated walls, Oranienbaum Palace is reliving its heyday.
The Palace is fortunate to have Queen Beatrix Patron lady of the restoration.