The renowned “ODE TO REMBRANDT” performance by Deventer street painter Gustave Nouel will once again be presented on July 19 at the Grote Kerkhof, next to the Lebuïnus Church. *Stichting Kunst en Cultuur aan de IJssel* (Art and Culture on the IJssel Foundation) is once again giving the famous Aruban artist (gustavenouel.nl) the opportunity—alongside his students and other artists from DAK (www.deventeramateurkunstenaars.nl)—to delight the public with portrait sketches, performances, and other creative expressions during the regional art market, acting as a street-based pop-up art gallery.
Because Gustave was in Aruba during May, the planned charity auction of the “ODE TO REMBRANDT” piece—painted on the Brink—could not take place.
This promotional auction could still go ahead on the Brink—home to the region’s largest art market—in 2027, late in the afternoon, should Paul Moerkerken of the *Stichting Kunst en Cultuur aan de IJssel* decide to organize it then.
The “ODE TO REMBRANDT” piece painted next to the Lebuïnus Church—a “street portrait” inspired by a self-portrait of Rembrandt van Rijn, the most famous portrait painter of all time—will not be for sale, just as in previous years.
Artists trained by Gustave Nouel to become street portraitists will join him in sketching quick portraits of interested members of the public in exchange for a voluntary contribution, as a stunt. Public decides the price!
Portrait painter Gustave Nouel (GN, an unassuming fellow citizen) has just returned from Aruba, where he began work on two new paintings for the Biblical Museum—which has held ten of his works since the last century—in a “church-studio” set up specifically for him. His paintings are sometimes even the subject of in-depth discussion during Bible study sessions in Aruba. Gustave had been invited by the Aruban Protestant Church (by Rev. Kees Mos) for this special “art mission” (*Pro Deo*). Possibilities were also explored for an art museum in Oranjestad to organize international art projects featuring works by Nouel and other renowned Aruban artists. This proposed Aruban museum project for cultural collaborations within our Kingdom and beyond enjoys the full support of both the Aruban government (Department of Culture) and the ATA (tourism sector). Notably, works by Nouel have been part of museum collections in various countries since the last century.
When Gustave is invited back to complete the two paintings for the Biblical Museum in Aruba, he is also willing to undertake other plans and/or projects, if his artistic expertise and experience could signify something for the Aruban community.
The renowned Aruban artist based in Deventer would undoubtedly also accept an invitation to present a performance titled “Ode to Rembrandt”—accompanied by workshops—at the Aruba Art Fair this coming August or September, or an invitation from any respected organization or institution that believes his expertise could benefit Aruba’s cultural sector.
Currently, the ARMA Museum in Bali has shown interest in his solo exhibition, combined with workshops and his painting performance: “Ode to Rembrandt.”
