INTERIOR DESIGN COLLECTION 4. THE THREE GRACES
MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The second major theme of painter Poen de Wijs related to ‘The Three Graces’, for him the portrayal of the multicultural society.
THREE YOUNG WOMEN
On this theme he first studied the earlier artists, such as Botticelli, Peter Paul Rubens and Boucher. The spark that hit him with this theme had an everyday cause. He was sitting on the tram in The Hague and saw three young women crossing arm in arm on a pedestrian crossing: a blond Northern European, an Asian and an African type. They had a lot of fun together. He thought, “I have to paint that!”
MYTHOLOGY
In mythology, the “Three Graces” are the companions of the “Goddess of Love.” With The Three Graces, he wanted to make a statement about the convergence of different cultures and about a world that extends beyond narrow country borders. But other motives also played a role. Poen de Wijs was around forty at the time, in the full bloom of his artistic skills and experience. He saw the series as a test of competence; like a master test, like the artists who had to do with their guild master in guild time.
The pieces that Poen painted as a preliminary study are also included in the collection.
‘The Three Graces’ Art Collection
can be delivered as follows:
Upholstery
As a rug/carpet
As (blackout) curtain fabric
As a translucent net curtain
Wallcoverings
Sound insulating panel / Folding screen
Furniture
1-seater bench
2-seater bench
3-seater bench
Lighting
Hanging lamp
Floor lamp
Pottery and porcelain
Every variant is negotiable. The collection is considerably larger than shown here.
INTERCULTURAL WORLD
The world beyond our borders became increasingly important in the work of Poen de Wijs. He saw the outside world around him getting closer and closer. People go on a journey and are confronted with a reality that knows no boundaries. The world was getting smaller and that fascinated Poen. His gaze broadened! He felt that he could artistically handle the great theme of the intercultural world. And that is reflected in much of his art. Like in the Africa collection.