Elisabeth Neurdenburg (1882-1957). The Academic Portrait

An academic portrait of Elisabeth Neurdenburg (1882–1957), who in 1948 became the first female professor of art history at the University of Groningen ánd in the Netherlands, has never been found, even though there are suggestions a portrait of her was once painted. The absence of the portrait formed the starting point for a wider search by students on the Master’s programme in Art History at the University of Groningen as part of their research seminar.

This search grew into a reassessment of Neurdenburg’s significance. Her role within the university and the development of art history proved to be far greater than her visibility had hitherto suggested. This insight led to a concrete step: the launch of a competition to commission a new academic portrait of Elisabeth Neurdenburg.

Based on a small number of surviving photographs, numerous young and established artists, amateur painters and professional portraitists submitted their sketches. Fifteen selected sketches are on display in the exhibition.The winning work, by the Frisian painter Roelie Douw, is expected to be completed in the Summer of 2026. With this portrait, Elisabeth Neurdenburg will finally be given a well-deserved, permanent place within the academic community.

The competition was made possible in part by the generous support of the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Arts, the University Library of Groningen, the University Museum and the Stichting Nicolaas Mulerius fonds.