Ruurlo Castle (Ruurlo),  together with museum MORE (Gorssel)

Carel Willink exhibition

Kasteel Ruurlo (Ruurlo castle) has lots of works of Carel Willink, which are exposed in a permanent exhibition, since 2017. This is a fine addition to the temporary exhibitions in museum MORE. Both contains a variety of 20th century modern realism.

Carel Willink (1900-1983) was the Dutch grandmaster of modern- and ne0-realism. It was also called magic realism.
His earliest paintings were in an expressionist manner, but he was soon influenced by Picasso’s neoclassical way of painting. Later he developped a magic realist style, related to the metaphysical paintings of Giorgio de Chirico.

Willink’s subjects were often situated in front of imposing buildings. He also painted many portraits.

He was married 4 times. Especially his third marriage was a rather complicated relation with Mathilde de Doeder, who saw herself as an artobject. After the divorce in 1977 she died. Until now it is still a subject of discussion whether she committed siucide or was murdered.

Fong Leng is a fashion designer. Her extravagant cloak dresses were worn by Mathilde. She was Fong’s most notable client. A few of these dresses are exhibited.