Female Voices in Art: Ariane van Suchtelen, Curator at the Mauritshuis, The Hague

Ariane van Suchtelen (b. 1962, Hengelo, The Netherlands) is curator at the Mauritshuis, The Hague. She studied Art History at Groningen University and did a graduate internship at the J. Paul Getty Museum. Before joining the Mauritshuis in 1995, she worked at the Rijksmuseum for five years. In 2014-2015 she served as acting curator at the Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem. The most recent exhibitions that she curated include Dutch Self Portraits of the Golden Age (2015-2016), Jan van Scorel in Haarlem (2015-2016), Jan Steen’s Histories (2018), Nicolaes Maes (2019-2020), Fleeting – Scents in Colour (2021)and presently, the exhibition In Full Bloom about Dutch and Flemish flower still lifes of the seventeenth century at the Mauritshuis.

Could you tell us something about your role in the art world?

My position at the Mauritshuis with its fabulous collection has enabled me to curate many exhibitions. I have published about a range of subjects, mainly in the field of Dutch painting of the seventeenth century.

What did you enjoy about being a part of this project?

I really enjoyed watching Carla work, to witness her creative process, her attention to detail, to hear her ideas, and see how eventually everything came together in a photograph. The wide range of women in the project is amazing. So many different backgrounds, so many different stories, so many extraordinary portraits – it’s heartening to see and hear them all.

Do you have a favourite artist?

I have many favourite artists and many favourite artworks. There is too much to choose from.

What is your earliest memory involving art?

Visiting the Rijksmuseum as a child. I was deeply impressed by Jan Asselijn’s Threatened Swan.

Do you have any special thoughts about the position of women in the art world?

Like in other branches of society, there’s definitely room for more women in the art world.

What are you wearing, and is there a story behind it?

I am wearing the dress that I wore at the opening of the Nicolaes Maes exhibition at the National Gallery in London, our partner for this show. This was in February 2020, just before the first Covid lockdown.

What impact has the current health crisis had on your daily practice?

Working at home most of the time has had advantages and disadvantages. The fact that museums were closed for such a long time during the first lockdown, and that it was almost impossible to see and enjoy any art, made me feel disconnected. Having online meetings with colleagues was quite efficient most of the time, although it is all about the right balance.

Has it changed your views on Art?

It hasn’t changed my views on art, but confirmed that art is of vital importance to me.

Have you created new initiatives and ways of working?

For the exhibition Fleeting – Scents in Colour (which was installed in the middle of a lockdown) we made a scent box which included four smell pumps: I gave a virtual tour through the exhibition inviting viewers to look at the art and smell at the same time. This was a way to ‘open’ the exhibition while the museum was closed. We had to think of new ways to reach out to our visitors.