THIS IS ZEELAND – Salomon Mesdach
Salomon Mesdach
Mesdach painted this family portrait in 1612. At that time he worked in Middelburg, but he is actually a painter from Antwerp. The Van Vlierden family portrayed is also originally from Antwerp but, like the artist, had fled to Middelburg. It can be seen in Dit is Zeeland.
The painting belongs to the collection of the Haags Historisch Museum and is now on loan to the Zeeuws Museum in Middelburg for a new exhibition called ‘Dit is Zeeland’, which will open from 13 May 2017.
Retouching Mesdach
Another month to retouch the portraits. Because the paint has become worn with age, the portraits fade. By putting small dots in the gaps, the painting becomes powerful again. The facial expressions also soften a bit, because the grandmother in particular gives us a very strict look. The touch-ups suddenly make her friendlier.
It takes peace and concentration to put the finishing touches all day, but it is wonderful to do and at the end of the day you also see good results from the work. For this painting I use a touch-up paint based on Aquazol, the brand is called QoR and it works very well. I have a very extensive palette at my disposal and can mix all skin colors. Each person portrayed has been given a different color by Mesdach.
The Exhibition
Come and see for yourself in Middelburg from May 2017, Mesdach’s painting will be in the gallery in the exhibition ‘Dit is Zeeland’.
