In the 1950’s, a uniquely innovative and experimental art movement began to flourish in The Hague: the New Hague School. Inspired by the motto ‘Freedom above all, the artists who were active in this movement between 1945 and 1975 rejected the respectable image of their predecessors in the Hague School. The New Hague School artists’ work is characterised by an exuberant use of colour. They expressed themselves in many ways, including abstract, non-figurative and modern figurative art. With this small exhibition – which marks the release of the publication by the same name, The New Hague School, 1945-1975, Freedom above all (2025, WBooks) by Saskia Gras – the Kunstmuseum hopes to draw renewed attention to a dynamic period in art history.
The exhibition runs at the Kunstmuseum Den Haag from 6 September until 7 December 2025.