My favorite painting in the world is the Panorama painted by Mesdag and housed in a one-of-a-kind museum in the Hague, in the Netherlands. Rarely does one get to see a piece of art where the viewer becomes part of the artistic experience.
Mesdag, a Dutch painter, painted this masterpiece in 1891 over a four month timeframe. Deeply influenced by the sea, Mesdag captures the village of the Hague, as it existed in that time period, with ships in the tumultuous seas in the far distance. The painting was recently restored over a 10 year period with a multi-million dollar budget.
The 360 degree panorama is approximately 50 feet high, hangs 50 feet away from the viewer and runs close to 400 feet in circumference. You see the painting from a facade lighthouse in the center of the display. Surrounded by sand dunes, the viewer cannot see the top, or the bottom of the painting making them a part of the breathtaking scenery.
Rarely has a piece of art captured my imagination. The creative brilliance of a mastermind talent leaves one speechless. My words are a feeble attempt to capture the true beauty of an artistic treasure. Make it part of your bucket list if you are ever in the area.
About Hemant Rustogi