Art under the hammer at the University of Groningen

17 April marks the start of an online auction of 360 works of art currently stored in the depot of the University of Groningen Museum. The art was produced decades ago under a government funding scheme for visual artists (BKR ) and fell into the hands of the University of Groningen. An online catalogue will be available at the site of Auction House Omnia, and the works of art themselves will be on display during a viewing weekend on 22 and 23 April. The auction closes at 8.30 p.m. on 24 April.

Online auction

For many decades, the government acquired all kinds of art under the BKR scheme . After compiling a detailed inventory of all the works of art a few years ago, the government transferred ownership of the pieces located at the University of Groningen to the University. Some of the work will be given to the Groninger Museum, but this still leaves 360 paintings in the depot of the University Museum. They will be auctioned online by Auction House Omnia from 17 April onwards. Starting on this date, interested parties will be able to see the art in an online catalogue on the Omnia website. A viewing weekend will be held at Nadorstplein 2 on the Zernike Campus on 22 and 23 April, from 12 - 4 p.m.. The auction closes at 8.30 p.m. on 24 April.

Art returned to the public

Rolf ter Sluis, curator of the University Museum: ‘This isn ’ t the first national auction of art produced under the BKR scheme . I am pleased that attention is being focused on these works of art and that they are being returned to public ownership. Storing them in our depot is an expensive business that benefits nobody. People with a personal of professional interest in particular pieces will now be able to enjoy them in the way they were intended.’

More information

• Rolf ter Sluis
• Online catalogue Auction House Omnia