Machteld – Karel Appel’s muse

In 1955, Karel Appel met his muse. Machteld was a young, classy woman, a mannequin who adored books, an anchor in his turbulent life. She passed away in 1970, only living until the age of 35. This exhibition centralizes one work: the monumental portrait that Appel made of his muse in 1962. Apart from that,  L’Oiseau Barbare from 1961 is on display; a painted upon olive trunk in the shape of a bird. Both works belong to the collection of architect Karel Sijmons and his wife Tony. Through letters and photographs, the visitor gains a unique insight into the extraordinary relationship of the couple Karel and Machteld Appel. Daughter Babette Cremer-Sijmons brought the documents together in a book and recollected memories of a woman who she too was inspired by.