Betzy Akersloot-Berg

The first major reassessment of Norwegian-Dutch sea painter Betzy Akersloot-Berg, a daring artist, world traveler and Mesdag pupil. Published to accompany an exhibition at Museum Panorama Mesdag The Hague, 3 October 2026–28 February 2027. Text in English and Dutch.

“Unprecedented daring, originality and strength”: as early as 1890, critics praised the bold style of Betzy Akersloot-Berg (1850–1922). A pupil of Hendrik Willem Mesdag, she was a pioneer, world traveler and passionate painter of coasts and seas.

This richly illustrated publication presents new insights into Akersloot-Berg’s artistry, travels, studio practice and significance. It is the first substantial Dutch/English-language publication on the Norwegian-Dutch artist since 2000 and marks an important reassessment of her work, which has been preserved in the museum dedicated to her in her former home on Vlieland and has received only sporadic attention in Norway. Published to coincide with the first major Dutch retrospective at Museum Panorama Mesdag, the book includes contributions from, among others, Jenny Reynaerts, Sunny Bergman, guest curator Marguerite Tuijn, Museum Panorama Mesdag, Museum Tromp’s Huys, NordNorsk Museum and Perspektivet Museum, Tromsø.

Text in English and Dutch.