Groninger Museum presents work by H.N. Werkman in the context of national theme 80 years of freedom. From Saturday, April 12, the Groninger Museum will present the Chassidic legends of Hendrik Nicolaas Werkman. Especially for the national theme 80 Years of Freedom, a room has been set up for this within the Behind the Scenes exhibition. The Groningen artist and printer created the print works during the Second World War. On Saturday April 12, at 2 p.m., the Northern Vocal Ensemble with Next Call will give a musical tribute to Werkman at the museum.
In early 1941, H.N. Werkman read Martin Buber's Die Legende des Baalschem, a collection of stories about the eighteenth-century Polish Jewish teacher Yisroel ben Eliezer, nicknamed the Baal Shem Tov. Werkman was deeply impressed. In a short time, using stencils, printing ink and other materials from his print shop, he created twenty compositions inspired by these wonderful stories. Thus he overcame the artistic blockade he had felt since the beginning of the German occupation.
In 1942 and 1943 Werkman printed print runs of these prints, divided into two series of ten, which he called Suites. They were published by clandestine publishing house De Blauwe Schuit, for which Werkman produced a total of forty editions between 1941 and 1944. The texts in this series of forty editions, which included the Chassidic legends, were usually not directly related to the war situation, but referred to it. With hymns and psalms, as well as modern stories and poetry, the publishers wanted to encourage their audience. They succeeded, thanks in part to Werkman's colorful illustrations.
Werkman was arrested by the Sicherheitsdienst in the spring of 1945. The liberation of Groningen on April 15 came too late for him. On April 10, 1945, he and nine others were executed at Bakkeveen.
Especially the Chassidic legends became a sought-after collector's item. They are now among Werkman's best-known works. The two Suites at the Groninger Museum have now been shown so often that they are very fragile. On the occasion of the national commemoration and celebration of 80 years of freedom, they are on temporary display through June 15, 2025.
Musical tribute Next Call on Saturday, April 12
On Saturday, April 12, the Noordelijk Vocal Ensemble in Groningen will organize a musical tribute to Werkman. The composition Next Call, to music by Groningen composer Nanne van der Werff and lyrics by Fons van Wanroij, will sound at 2 p.m. at the Groninger Museum, at 2:45 p.m. at Waagplein and at 3:30 p.m. at the Groninger Forum. The title Next Call is taken from the avant-garde writings Werkman published between September 1923 and November 1926. The musical piece is about Werkman's final hours. He goes back in his mind to his youth, but also to his workshop in downtown Groningen.