Lecture on Frankenthaler and Judd

In het kader van de tentoonstelling bij Kunsthal KAdE organiseert de Vrije Academie de lezing Frankenthaler / Judd.

Art in Contrast

Two artists from the same generation, two international careers, and yet strikingly different reputations in the Netherlands. Why was Donald Judd widely collected and celebrated, while Helen Frankenthaler remained out of the spotlight for so long? How was it that their work was viewed so differently?

Two Postwar Greats

With her colorful abstract expressionism and his austere minimalism, Helen Frankenthaler and Donald Judd represent two major movements in postwar art. In the fall of 2026, Kunsthal KAdE will bring these apparent opposites together in a surprising exhibition that brings together color and form, material and structure. At the same time, the exhibition sheds new light on a striking difference in how they were received in the Netherlands.

Art, Criticism, and Appreciation

In this lecture, Mirjam Deckers takes you on a journey into the world of Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism. Discover how two influential artists left their mark on art history and what role art criticism and gender played in the appreciation of their work. A surprising story that will make you see art with new eyes. Sign up today! 

The exhibition Frankenthaler / Judd will be on view from September 26, 2026, through January 10, 2027, at the Kunsthal KAdE in Amersfoort.