On 5 October 2006, the ambassador of France in the Netherlands appointed the director of the Mauritshuis, Frits Duparc, to the Légion d’honneur.
Press release
6 October 2006
Legion d’Honneur for Frits Duparc
The director of the Mauritshuis, Frits Duparc, has been appointed a member of the Légion d’honneur. On 5 October, the French ambassador, Mr Jean-Michel Gaussot, awarded him the decorations of this order. Mr Gaussot praised Duparc as an ‘ambassador of Art and an ambassador of the Museum’.
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In his glowing speech, the French ambassador commended Duparc’s merits. ‘The large exhibitions organised by the Mauritshuis, devoted to Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt, Jacob van Ruisdael, Paulus Potter and/or Holbein, reflect Frits Duparc’s ability to build bridges between nations. As a result, visitors from numerous countries have been drawn to The Hague.’
The museum’s acquisition policy, the collaboration with museums worldwide as well as the active role Duparc has played in the French-Dutch Council of Cooperation since 2003 were all reasons for awarding him this distinction.
In his acceptance speech, Duparc underscored the importance that is attached to culture in France. He also thanked his staff and family for having made it possible for him to fulfil his dreams and ambitions.