Library acquires nineteenth-century sample books for decorative painters

The University Library (UL) Special Collections comprises many valuable, old and unique works. These include the Sips Collection, 20 sample books for decorative painters, most from the nineteenth century, which the UL acquired over a year ago. The Sips family contacted the UL at the suggestion of a curator at Groninger Museum. Once a month the public can bring objects and works of art to the Groninger Museum and have them appraised. A member of the family brought along the books.

_{Text: Bineke Bansema / Communication Office UG
Photos: Hesterliena Wolthuis}

One and a half years ago Gerda Huisman, curator at the UL, received a call from a granddaughter of the founder of the Sips painting company about a collection of books on decoration. Huisman was very interested. ‘I jumped on my bike and rode to Paterswolde to take a look at the books. They were beautiful and I obviously wanted to bring them to the UL. They would be a fantastic addition to the library’s existing interior decoration collection.’ The Sips Collection includes works with titles such as Motifs de peinture décorative pour appartements modernes and Kirchliche Decorationsmalereien im Romanischen und Gotischen Style. It also includes editions of Deutsches Maler-Journal on painters such as Hans Holbein and Albrecht Dürer.

During a family gathering, the Sips family decided to donate the books to the UL. The family is known in Groningen for the Sips painting company, which used to have its premises on Turftorenstraat and a workshop on Uurwerkersgang. The old workshop can still be identified from the sign on the facade: ‘Schildersbedrijf W.Th. Sips, tel. 22688.’ Today it belongs to the Faculty of Law.

Safe

The sample books are now in the Special Collections safe. Two piles of different-sized books. Some are a bit dishevelled and the pages of others have come loose or been cut out. A sign that they were used a lot. The books belonged to Herman Sips, the company’s founder. Born in 1879, he was orphaned at an early age and went to work for a painter. Around 1900 he attended Academie Minerva. He probably acquired the books at about that time. Whether he bought or was given them is unclear.

Huisman: ‘Nor is it clear why they look so worn. They may have been passed between different painters in the city or been lent out by Huisschildersvereeniging Eendracht en Nut (a painters’ society) in Groningen.’ Despite the wear they still look beautiful with pictures of historical and contemporary interiors and coloured illustrations of examples of painted walls and ceilings, decorated columns, rosettes and wallpaper patterns.

Books in the Special Collections are often used for research. This has not yet been the case with the Sips Collection, but Huisman expects this to change. ‘The history of decorating and furnishing houses is very popular at the moment. I expect someone will decide to address this topic. It would be interesting if they would investigate whether painted elements that appear in the sample books or have been inspired by them can still be found in buildings in Groningen.’

Anyone who expects a library containing old books to be a dimly lit room with creaking doors and a musty smell will be pleasantly surprised when entering the UL’s Special Collections room. It is light, warm, spacious and even a bit chic. Anthracite cupboards and walls are a stunning contrast to the white furniture and sleek light fittings. The room on the third floor of the UL was completely refurbished during the building’s renovation (2014-2017), right down to the safe. Visitors can study the various collections in peace. These include historical maps, manuscripts, incunabula, old and newer printed books, book bindings, newspapers and pamphlets.

Read more about the UL’s various Special Collections on the blog De wereld aan boeken (dutch).

More information

• Contact: Gerda Huisman
• Website: Special Collections