Tonny in the Orient

The Soul of the Desert

From a young age, Tonny Holsbergen has been devoted to the tales of One Thousand and One Nights, and once she had mastered her artistry, she decided to embark on a journey of discovery in the Orient—driven by a fascination with other cultures in ‘Eastern spheres’. Consequently, she has made many journeys through Oman, Yemen, Qatar, and India.

The retrospective exhibition currently on view not only offers the opportunity to admire Holsbergen’s craftsmanship but also invites visitors to immerse themselves in Oriental atmospheres. The exhibition space is decorated with a Bedouin tent, rugs, cushions, jewelry, and music. It is an enriching experience for visitors, after which they might look at the world around them with different eyes.

The first trip to Oman that Tonny Holsbergen made in 2001 marked a turning point in her life. In the desert, she camped in a small tent and became captivated by the Bedouin. ‘I was enchanted by the beauty of the women in their colorful dresses and their characteristic golden masks, burkas,’ says Holsbergen. ‘Without speaking their language, I tried to penetrate their secluded world.’ She traveled around and visited tent camps, souks, and camel markets. Armed with charcoal and chalk, she could sit sketching for hours under the burning sun. She fell in love with the country and would therefore return there often.

Her travels to Oman resulted in, among other things, an impressive series of pastels, paintings, and drawings that capture the essence of Bedouin life—with camel races and goat markets—which she also exhibited in the Sultanate. She was also asked several times to portray the Sultan. She achieved international fame with her book ‘Faces of Oman’.

India also always remained high on her wish list as a country to travel to. She met many people there and was invited by the Maharaja to dine at his palace. In India, too, she fell for the richness of color in the clothing of both men and women, as well as the beautiful jewelry. The turbans worn by the men fascinated and inspired her so much that she wanted to capture them on paper and canvas time and again.

The Artworks

All the travels and encounters have resulted in an impressive collection of portraits, lively scenes, and landscapes. Together, they form an ode to a way of life in which hospitality and tradition take center stage. The artworks stand out for their colors and movement—in the clothing of the dancing women, the running camels, and the swirling sand in the desert. All the canvases are full of life, and behind every canvas lies an adventurous story.