Kunstmuseum Den Haag
23 November 2024 – 6 April 2025
Kunstmuseum The Hague presents Grand Dessert – The History of the dessert, an exhibition that explores the rich cultural and historical significance of desserts in Europe. From classic Dutch treats to royal dessert buffets, baklava, Charlotte Russe, and indulgent cakes, the exhibition offers a journey through centuries of sweet history. Curated by author and TV personality Janny van der Heijden, the display features a wide range of objects, including cookbooks, baking molds, paintings, and historical tableware, highlighting how desserts reflect social and cultural changes.
A special feature of the exhibition is the inclusion of Peter Anton’s Alluring Assortment, one of his signature large-scale, hyperrealistic sculptures.
The exhibition also delves into themes such as the colonial origins of ingredients like sugar, cocoa, and vanilla, and how these shaped European desserts. Hundreds of objects—from ice cream molds to menus and baking tools—offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of sweet treats. Adding to the sensory experience, twelve dessert-related fragrances, developed in collaboration with International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF), allow visitors to smell their way through the history of desserts, making Grand Dessert a true feast for the senses.
Van der Heijden describes the exhibition as “a must-see for lovers of art, culture and history as well as anyone who loves sweet. Actually for everyone, because who doesn’t love desserts?”
The exhibition will be on view from November 23, 2024 to April 06, 2025.
