Panorama Mesdag

Panorama Mesdag in The Hague is the largest circular canvas in Europe. Look 360º around you and experience the magical optical illusion created by this panorama of Scheveningen from 1881, in Museum Panorama Mesdag. The view is never the same; the incidence of light is more than magnificent and changes from moment to moment. The vista of the sea, dunes and old fishermen's village Scheveningen was painted by H.W. Mesdag. Panorama Mesdag is a unique cultural historical monument.

Cultural-historical monument

The building that incorporates this panorama was constructed specifically for the painting. In the centre of the building, an artificial dune has been created on a roundabout. From a viewpoint situated above the dune, visitors will see the same panorama as if they were standing on the Seinpost dune levelled off in 1881, as the canvas hung around it shows an impressively painted beach and seaside scene.

Illusion

The canvas has a surface area of around 1680 m2 and was painted by the painter H.W. Mesdag in four months, supported by several fellow artists, including Breitner. The roundabout has a diameter of 36 metres. The hidden skylights in the tent roof illuminate the space to give an illusion of a natural environment. The transition from the artificial dune to the painting is achieved with phenomenal artistic skill and strongly suggests to visitors that they are outside.

The last vestige of the maritime panorama in the Netherlands

The entire work, which comprises the structure and panorama, was completed between 1880 and 1881. As an example of the typical 19th century "instruction and entertainment" idea, Panorama Mesdag is unique in being the last vestige of the maritime panorama in the Netherlands. The painting is important as a product of the Hague School, not only because of its size, brushstrokes and theme employed, but also as a result of the collaborating artists of the Hague School. From a cultural-historical perspective, Panorama Mesdag grandly and gloriously sets forth the tradition of the trompe l'oeil effect in a manner unsurpassed.

Panorama Mesdag Interactive

Panorama Mesdag Interactive is a unique digital version of Panorama Mesdag, in which texts, images, links and films showcase more information about the panorama, its creators and Scheveningen, all the way from 1881 to today. To experience all the details of this unique painting close up in The Hague, visit the Panorama Mesdag website!