A Morning at Europe’s Biggest Antique Market
, by David van den Berg, 4 min reading time
Spring is in sight.
A First Blog & A Rainy Beginning
I’ve just sat down in front of my computer for the very first time to start blogging, as the rain is coming down on the window side at the end of one of those very first better weather days.
I had been thinking about blogging for quite a while as a way to document the progress we have been making and to share that process with all of you.
I am accompanied by my cat Harry trying to walk across my keyboard to get some attention and in the background, the vinyl crackling of some nice Miles Davis playing the trumpet.
Our First Market of the Year
We’ve just recently hit our first market of the year in our neighbouring country of Belgium.
It was quite the experience, we still operate from Roos and my home with limited resources. One of those resources is Roos her family car. It has been through quite a lot, but it’s thriving.
Over the past year since we started, it has carried many large gatherings of artworks. You would never expect the car to fit so many paintings from the outside.
I knew we would be hitting a spot of rich history and fine art and that it wouldn’t be the first time that we’d have to drive back for 2 hours with me on the passengers seat and frames sticking in my neck, because the vehicle was so stacked.
Early Start & Clear Priorities
Because markets start so early, we had to take off pretty quickly in the morning. I took care of breakfast. I prepared a large warm-holder cup of coffee and some toast and nice cheese.
We always use our driving time to talk about where we are headed with the goals we have set and how to accomplish them. Our most important priority is the sourcing. We want to be able to find as many beautiful antique oil paintings as we can.
A Massive Market in Belgium
This time at one of Europe’s biggest arena markets. The market had more than a thousand stands.
Sometimes the markets are very specific for antiques and art, but this one wasn’t centered around anything specific, so we knew we would have to be very fast in our steps and look really well at every single stand, so that we wouldn’t miss anything.
The parking spot was quite far from the arena, so we had to walk for a bit.
As soon as we entered the floor (5 minutes delayed from starting time)… we took off.
The Hunt Begins
We immediately saw a man with two paintings in beautiful golden frames that he had just bought.
We felt the stress and excitement immediately and decided to split up and each explore a different flank of the arena.
I came across a large stand soon after. An elderly woman and her husband attended the stunning collection of vintage paintings and antique art that decorated it.
Finding Hidden History
It instantly struck me again that there are so many amazing works from such a local heritage that have been hanging on someone’s wall and have either been inherited, lost or ended up at an antique store and are ready to live a second life. In my opinion they have to be seen by the entire world because they’re so impressive.
Some of the canvasses and panels immediately hit me with an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia and home. I knew I had to have them and paid the woman a fair price for them.
I carried the artworks gently under my arms across the large arena and after a while found Roos again, who had her own little journey and was mirroring my appearance with a few eccentric pieces under her arms as well.
The joy in her face was great to see. We had accomplished and the trip was well worth its time already. We succeeded!
A Day Well Spent
We spent a few more hours at the market and the rest of the day we enjoyed the sights of Belgium and drove back to The Netherlands with just as I expected a bunch of paintings sticking in my face. I took time to add the best paintings to my walls, so that I could enjoy them for as long as they are mine.
I’m looking at one of the original oil paintings as I’m writing this blog. I can’t imagine where it has been all these years and who has had the luck of being able to adore this sight before me.
For now I am enjoying it, I always feel like I am a temporary caregiver for them until they get a new home. Perhaps with you?
Explore Our Collection
Discover more unique artworks in our collection of antique oil paintings or browse our full selection of vintage art.
Best regards,
David.
All artworks in this blog are or will soon be able available in our product catalogue..