Land of De Ploeg
Categories
-
The Waddenland in Groningen
The Wadden area of Groningen inspires with its beauty. There are galleries everywhere, sometimes even at the artists' homes. Imagine this landscape through the eyes of an artist.
Art in the Waddenland
Groningen is the land of De Ploeg. In 1918 a number of artists started a collective. Musicians, writers, but mainly painters. They called themselves De Ploeg (the plough). The name was an ode to the landscape, but - more importantly - also a sign that the time had come to ring in the new. Art in Groningen needed to be cultivated. This artists guild is still active.
The Groninger Museum has a permanent exhibition with some of their main artists. But walking in the footsteps of the artists is the best way to experience De Ploeg. You'll recognise the meandering streams, the winding roads across the old mounds and dikes in the landscape and the colours that change with the seasons. The bright yellow of the mustard and rapeseed fields, the golden yellow of the grain, interspersed with a surprising pink poppy or a multi-coloured field of tulips. A vast landscape where the silhouettes of mound villages and their characteristic medieval churches are in sharp contrast to the vast, cloud-filled heavens.
Groningen mosaics
This landscape was and still is a source of inspiration for the De Ploeg artists. Founders Jan Altink, Johan Dijkstra and Jan Wiegers captured it in a colourful way with their own Groninger expressionism. Then came constructivism with its straight geometrical shapes strictly arranged by Wobbe Alkema and Jan van der Zee; who both also dabbled in other styles later.
You can still find works by the De Ploeg artists in many, sometimes unexpected, places along the Wadden coast in Groningen. In mosaics on schools and other buildings, for example. The Groningen landscape is also featured in these mosaics. The work of art that Jan van der Zee created for elementary school F.H. Jansenius de Vries in Warffum in 1960 and his Wilde Zwanen in Usquert are both good examples. So be sure to include them in your route when you're walking or biking through the area.
Routes: Cycling through a living painting
Two special De Ploeg routes take you along the places that were so loved by the Ploeg artists. The Hotspots-routeis a 40-kilometre-long loop, equipped with 'hotspots': large replicas of Ploeg paintings. It is fascinating to see how the landscape has changed, or has remained unexpectedly recognizable.
Rather covering greater distances? Via various e-bike routes In het spoor van de Ploeg (In the footsteps of de Ploeg) you can traverse Groningen. A free app brings together the present and the past with photos, sound and (art) historical background information. The e-bike routes vary from over 50 km to a multi-day route of 165 km.
Discover more? - The nicest locations in Waddenland
-
Old Farmhouse - B&B de Hugt
Old Farmhouse - B&B de Hugt
Bed and Breakfast de Hugt is located between the farmlands near Ulrum and near National Park Lauwersmeer. The rooms are spacious,...
Ir. A.J. van den Brielweg 1
9971 TA Ulrum -
Herberg-Restaurant Molenrij
Herberg-Restaurant Molenrij
Herberg Restaurant Molenrij is een gezellig restaurant aan de Groninger Waddenkust. Lokale, verse producten zijn het recept...
Henricus van Cappenbergweg 34
9977 RW Molenrij -
Restaurant De Molenaar
Restaurant De Molenaar
At Restaurant de Molenaar in Onderdendam you can enjoy a pleasant afternoon or evening out and a special overnight stay....
Uiterdijk 4
9959 PK Onderdendam -
Abrahams Mosterdmakerij
Abrahams Mosterdmakerij
When visiting the Hoogeland, a stopover at Abraham's Mustard Maker is a must! On the cozy Molenplein in Eenrum you will find...
Molenstraat 5
9967SL Eenrum -
't Ailand Lauwersoog
't Ailand Lauwersoog
Here you can taste the fresh catch of local fishermen, while you look out over the harbor and the Waddensea. Sniff the fresh...
Haven 49 A
9976 VN Lauwersoog -
Hotel Bistro De Oude Smidse
Hotel Bistro De Oude Smidse
Hotel Bistro De Oude Smidse is located in an attractive old forge in the picturesque village of Westernieland.
D. Wierengastraat 36
9969 PD Westernieland -
De Energiek
De Energiek
From a simple night to a fully organised stay.
Mernaweg 79
9964 AR Wehe-Den Hoorn -
Herberg het Klooster
Herberg het Klooster
Een plek waar gastvrijheid en bewustwording elkaar ontmoeten
Damsterweg 8
9977 RH Kloosterburen
Continue reading? - Also discover these stories of Ode to the Landscape
-
The grain republic: land of opposites
The grain republic: land of opposites
The Oldambt is the land of grains and infinite horizons. Of majestic manors with their meandering gardens. It is also the land of contrasts; in the landscape and, for a very long time, in society.
-
dunes as a work of art and a world
dunes as a work of art and a world
To R.W. van de Wint life was art and art was life. As a painter, sculptor, builder, sketcher and gardener he transformed old inner dunes into a world of its own: De Nollen.
-
Impoldering with Banck
Impoldering with Banck
Monks began building dikes and John Eric Banck completed the job. A new sea dike created the Banckspolder bringing new opportunities along with it.
-
Discover the Landscape
Discover the Landscape
Just look around; there's no mistaking where you are. The Wadden has a strong sense of place. You can always feel the Wadden Sea, even when you can’t see it. The smell, the wind, the screeching seagulls. But also the landscape.
-
On the edge of salt and fresh water
On the edge of salt and fresh water
Lauwersmeer Lake National Park is a unique landscape located on the edge of salt and fresh water. It's also the youngest landscape along the Wadden coast at just a little more than half a century old.
-
De Hoge Berg (The High Mountain)
De Hoge Berg (The High Mountain)
Typical Texel is what you’ll find on De Hoge Berg. A modest height but a unique landscape you’ll only find on this island. Walk or cycle to the top for the most breathtaking views.