Naarden turns blue

This year, Naarden the Art fair (from January 22 to 25, 2026) embraces the color that has inspired artists for centuries: BLUELike a thread running through art history, blue keeps recurring – versatile, recognizable, mysterious. From the iconic Delft Blue that made Dutch art famous far beyond the country's borders, to the deep blue hues of Monet's water lilies and Matisse's expressive nudes. In paintings, a blue sky sometimes betrays the country of origin, while glass artists, jewelers, and even watchmakers have been enchanted by this color for generations. Have you ever visited Naarden Fortress? Have you ever visited the Dutch Fortress Museum?

Naarden turns BLUE – An ode to a timeless color

This year, Naarden the Art Fair embraces the color that has inspired artists for centuries: BLUELike a thread running through art history, blue keeps recurring – versatile, recognizable, mysterious. From the iconic Delft Blue that made Dutch art famous far beyond the country's borders, to the deep blue hues of Monet's water lilies and Matisse's expressive nudes. In paintings, a blue sky sometimes betrays the country of origin, while glass artists, jewelers, and even watchmakers have been enchanted by this color for generations. Think of the rich luster of sapphires, the blue dials of nautical timepieces, or the eyes looking at you from a portrait. Blue is everywhere – in seascapes, skies, flowers, glass, and stone – and that is precisely why it is the perfect inspiration for this edition. The theme invites visitors and exhibitors alike to look in a new way. Expect surprising presentations in which blue takes center stage – powerful, poetic, refreshing.

Naarden is one of the best-preserved fortified towns in Europe and is particularly famous for its distinctive and well-preserved star shape. The fortress features six bastions, a double rampart, and a double moat system. The fortifications are pleasant for walking. Boat tours around the fortifications are also available. The extensive fortress, designed by Adriaen Anthonisz and of which large parts from the 17th century are still present, is largely freely accessible. The fortress is part of the New Dutch Waterline and also houses the Netherlands Fortress Museum in the Turfpoort bastion. Here, visitors can see what a fortress looked like during its use, and view the collection of artifacts dating from 1350 to 1945. During the frequent activities at the museum, both indoors and outdoors, visitors can also experience what life was like inside a fortress. The Waterline Path runs around the fortress, making the scale of the fortifications clearly visible. The fortress also hosts the biennial national Naarden Photo Festival. The entire fortress was owned by the State until January 15, 2016; following the discontinuation of its military function, parts of it were successively transferred from Defence to the portfolio of the Government Buildings Agency, and subsequently transferred by the Government Buildings Agency to the National Monuments Organisation on January 15, 2016. The fortress is a protected cityscape.

 

International Klein Blue (IKB)

When Klein began creating his own monochrome paintings, the artist initially expressed this interest in multiple colors, as seen in the paintings Untitled Vermilion Monochrome (M 26) (1949) and Untitled Green Monochrome (M 75) (1955-1956). When the Galerie Colette Allendy exhibited approximately 20 monochrome works by Klein, Klein discovered that the public viewed the works as abstract interior decoration. This was absolutely not what Klein wanted to convey with his works, and he decided to proceed with a single color. This was the color of his first work: the blue sky of Nice. The infinity Klein saw in this sky was reflected in the ultramarine pigment. Around 1956, Klein entered into a collaboration with the French paint maker Edouard Adam to preserve the depth of the ultramarine pigment when mixing the pigment with a medium. Adam and Klein experimented with the ultramarine pigment and a special fixative, polyvinyl acetate, then known as Rhodopas. Unlike ordinary fixatives, this did not detract from the luster (depth) of the color. Unlike conventional blue paint, in which the fixative—the medium trapping the colored particles—creates a reflection that diminishes the effect, which is stronger (less glossy) with ground pigment, IKB appears grainy or fuzzy to the human eye, particularly on three-dimensional objects. There is absolutely no reflection or gloss. As a result, objects painted with IKB appear powdered or very finely sintered. Although an internationally recognized patent was never applied for International Klein Blue, Klein did apply for a Soleau envelope at the INPI. This envelope serves as proof of an invention in France. It is solely to record the date of an invention or idea and therefore does not function like a patent. TriviaFor the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, the Netherlands is represented by Joost Klein with the song Europapa. IKB was the color of the suit that singer Joost Klein wore during his performance at the festival. Joost Klein (1997), known simply as Joost, is a Dutch musician, writer, and former YouTuber. He is known for songs such as Scandinavian Boy, Wachtmuziek, Ome Robert, and Friesenjung, and the albums M van Marketing, Albino, and 1983. Video Joost Klein – Europapa (2024): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT2wY0DjYGo  

The Scene – Blue (1991)

Blauw is a song by the Dutch rock band The Scene, taken from the album of the same name released in 1991. The song was released as a single on April 8, 1991. It is the title track of the album Blauw, recorded at the Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum and released on October 1, 1990. The single was released by Phonogram on April 8, 1991, and was a regular part of the band's live sets. The song was written by Thé Lau, and the lyrics were inspired by a visit to a Greek restaurant, where Lau noticed how often the color blue is used. Blauw was mixed in the Wisseloord Studios, among other locations. The B-side, Opgejaagd, was written for Thé Lau in collaboration with keyboardist Otto Cooymans. The single was the band's first commercial success. In the Netherlands, Blauw was the 377th Special Offer on KRO Radio 3 on Sunday, May 19, 1991, and became a radio hit on the two national charts of the time on the national public pop station: the record reached position 14 in the Dutch Top 40 and remained charted for 7 weeks; in the National Top 100, it reached position 15 and remained charted for 11 weeks.

In Belgium, the record reached position 39 in the predecessor of the Flemish Ultratop 50 and remained on the chart for 6 weeks. It did not chart in the Flemish Radio 2 Top 30 or the Walloon charts. Since the very first edition in December 1999, the record has been continuously listed in the annual NPO Radio 2 Top 2000. In 2025, it reached position 348. [/ One_half] [one_half_last]             [/one_half_last] Video The Scene – Blauw (1991): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyQZ6xrlEhk  

Blue Monday (Monday, January 19, 2026)

Various media accused Arnall of having 'sold' his name to the formula. According to The Guardian, among others, the entire press release, including the formula, had already been written by a PR agency commissioned by Sky travel to promote travel. To lend credibility to the message, they offered various academics money to attach their names to the formula. Cardiff University, where Arnall was working at the time, distanced itself from Arnall in the British media a short time later. The message also received much criticism regarding its content. For instance, there is no explanation whatsoever for how the formula was constructed, and the formula does not measure in the quantity 'time'. Casper Albers, professor of statistics at the University of Groningen, called the formula in 2020 just as nonsensical as a formula like 'three times Wednesday divided by endive'. It is pseudoscientific. Arnall claimed afterwards that he does not regret devising it, but it was supposedly his intention to get people thinking about happiness. Winter depression exists, but it is a long-term condition that can be clinically demonstrated, and not a one-day phenomenon as Blue Monday suggests it is.  

Blue according to AI mode

Blue is a primary color that symbolizes peace, trust, stability, and calmness. It is located in the spectrum between cyan and violet (approx. 470 nm). It is a cool, versatile color often used in interiors for a fresh, spacious look. Variants range from light blue and turquoise to deep navy blue. Key aspects of the color blue:

• Symbolism & Psychology: Blue represents intelligence, wisdom, truth, and faith. It is often associated with the male gender and has a calming effect on body and mind.
• Interior & Design: The color creates a calm and reliable atmosphere, ideal for bedrooms or workspaces. However, it can appear cooler in northern light.
• Types of Blue: There are countless shades, including: Light Blue/Pastel Blue: For a relaxing, fresh atmosphere, Navy Blue/Dark Blue: Creates luxury and depth, Turquoise/Petrol: Warm variants.
• Applications: In addition to the sky and sea, the color is widely used in companies to project an image of professionalism and reliability.

In painting, blue is a primary color that cannot be obtained by mixing. Historically, it was a difficult color to obtain, with azure as one of the first pigments.  

The secret life of colors – Kassia St Clair

A beautiful full-colour book on the history of colours – a must for every art lover. There is a new edition with 25 extra colours. So if you decide to buy this indispensable book (orange has also been analyzed), choose the latest edition with the black cover! In The Secret Life of Colours, Kassia St Clair has poured her lifelong obsession with colours into a unique book, in which she tells enchanting stories about the 75 best-known shades and hues. Why is the Virgin Mary in the Renaissance almost always in the blue depicted? Why are carrots orange? And why do you turn green with jealousy? The Secret Life of Colors is about fashion and politics, art and war, about the yellow of Van Gogh's sunflowers, about Picasso's blue period, about the red in the cave paintings of Lascaux, and about the fluorescent colors of punk. The Secret Life of Colors is a vibrant history of colors and the unforgettable stories behind them. It offers a completely new perspective on our history and culture; after reading this book, looking at color will never be the same. About The Secret Life of Colors: 'A mind-expanding journey around the world without having to leave your easel. Every color has a story, and in this book, the most enchanting, shocking, and thought-provoking ones have been collected. It will be difficult to simply paint your hallway magnolia white after reading this inspiring palette of stories.' Simon Garfield, author of Just My Type, On the Map, and Mauve  

Which blue stamps from the Netherlands and Belgium do you have in your collection?

  Source: Naarden the Art Fair.  

<strong> More info: </strong>

Naarden the Art Fair, from January 22 to 25, 2026, Naarden Vesting: https://naardenartfair.nl/ Dutch Fortress Museum: https://www.vestingmuseum.nl/ More Blue Monday: https://historiek.net/blue-monday-blauwe-maandag/86869/