Also a fan of sweets? In this exhibition you will learn everything about the history of desserts.
This fall, the Kunstmuseum Den Haag will be presenting a very tasty exhibition. From November 23, 2024, you can visit the exhibition Grand Dessert – The history of dessert. Using cookbooks, baking tins, tableware, paintings and much more, visitors will delve into the delicious, sweet world of dessert. From art historical objects to modern creative expressions, there is something for everyone! Extra fun: none other than Janny van der Heijden is the guest curator.
The history of dessert
“Dessert is more than the ultimate end to a meal. It is a reflection of cultural, social and taste changes over the centuries,” says Van der Heijden. “You can tell many stories with desserts. About wealth and poverty, about seduction and deception, domination and oppression. But above all, of course, about the love of sweet.” Together with Suzanne Lambooy, curator of Kunstmuseum Den Haag, she worked this year on Grand Dessert – The history of dessert, an exhibition to make your mouth water. Van der Heijden: “A must-see for lovers of art, culture and history as well as for anyone who loves sweet things. In fact, for everyone, because who doesn’t love desserts?”
Europe
Puddings, ice cream and cakes have been a popular, sweet end to a dinner for centuries. The word dessert is derived from the French verb ‘desservir’, which means ‘to clear the table’. It was therefore served after the dinner table had been cleared. The exhibition focuses on the pleasure of dessert in Europe from 1600 to the present. Various themes are discussed, including ice cream, pudding, cake, fruits, desserts today, royal desserts, French and British desserts. The colonial origins of ingredients such as sugar, vanilla and cocoa, the variety of flavours and the stories behind famous desserts are also discussed. The many stories related to this are told in short videos by Janny van der Heijden, among others. One of the rooms is specially designed for children.
Hundreds of objects
The exhibition will feature hundreds of objects, both from the Kunstmuseum’s own collection and loans from various Dutch museums, castles and country estates, and various private individuals. It ranges from baking tins to cookbooks, from tableware to cutlery, from ice cream moulds to menus, and much more. The exhibition is part of a series of exhibitions by this museum on food culture. Grand Dessert is a sequel to Nederland Dineert – vier eeuwen eetcultuur (2015/2016). That exhibition focused mainly on serving dishes, while the new exhibition on desserts focuses on both the making and serving process. With surprising, sometimes unknown stories. For example, who knows that sugar confectionery is a precursor to porcelain?
Catering and activities
In addition to the attractively furnished exhibition halls, including the atmospheric Style Rooms, visitors can also count on suitable catering and an activity program during the exhibition period. This program includes lectures, baking competitions, a demonstration by a top chef and events linked to holidays such as Christmas, Chinese New Year and Eid al-Fitr. There is also plenty to do for (grand)children, including in the special children’s museum hall and during workshops and open children’s and family studios.
Grand Dessert – The History of Dessert can be seen from November 23, 2024 to April 13, 2025.
Source: Nouveau, Kunstmuseum The Hague | Image: NL Beeld
