Out and about in Groningen

This afternoon, Lya and I went into Groningen to see the Groningen Museum and visit Lya's favorite cheese shop. I was eager to buy some cheese to bring back; it has all been fantastic, and I think I may have eaten my weight in cheese during my stay. Hope my suitcase won't be overweight! Here are some shots of this wonderful city.



This is the old newspaper building. It has beautiful tile work, and nice windows.



This is the cheese shop. I bought a "young" Dutch cheese, an "old" ( aged one year) Dutch cheese, and one round cheese sealed in wax.



The shop had lovely Easter displays in its windows:







Looks like this guy has an appetite for autos!




Mosaic of men in traditional dress carrying cheeses:






Amazing doors:






This is the entrance to the Groningen museum:


The museum is known for its brightly colored walls, which are changed to complement the current exhibitions.


This exhibit was on fashion designer Azzedine Alaia, one of the last living couturiers.



Wonderful texture!






"Jan Jansz de Stomme" by Meenwertien Fockens, 1645. Detail below:



"Anoniem" by Bouwina Coenders van Helpen, 1630. Detail below.


From the museum's top level:


There was also an exhibit of fashion by the young Dutch designer Iris van Herpen, including this snakelike creation:



And this, which I think is made of heated acrylic that gives the impression of water:


 

Bunschoten

During today's class one of my students offered to take me across the street to a nursing home where I might see some women still wearing the traditional garments of this region. This beautiful lady agreed to be photographed.


The panels over her shoulders are extremely heavy and stiff. On her arms are what look to be knitted "sleeves;" these are only worn in cooler weather. She also wears a lace crocheted cap. All the individual pieces of her dress are pinned by hand when she dresses.


This is an old photo of Dutch women from the same region. I believe it was taken in the 1940s, and unfortunately, I don't have a photographer's name or credit. You can see that the styles have changed somewhat.


The colors of some of the garment indicate if a woman is in mourning for a family member or close friend. A local quilt group made this quilt from the traditional old fabrics, and donated it to the nursing home.





Here are some photos of Bunschoten:





This is the port, which used to be on the sea, and is now fresh water, because of a dike!








This is a shipyard where boats were being built and repaired:














In the countryside outside of town:








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