Jan Menze van Diepen Stichting

This Foundation was established in 1978 by mr. Van Diepen, to guard and manage his collection in the future.

The purpose speaks clearly for it self :
"The purpose of the foundation is to acquire, to administer and to exhibit for the public: objects of art, ceramics, glass, prints, carts, photos, byjoux, furniture, curiosa and other pieces of art with historic value, as well as giving in loan these objects to institutions, with a similar aim as this foundation".

The council of the Foundation is composed as follows:

Prof. Drs. A. te Bos, president, treasurer

Mr. J. Kuipers, secretary

Drs. H.B.M. Bemboom, member

Co-workers:

Drs. H. van Harten-Boers, conservator/administrator

H.L.F. Siemensma, registrator/conservation employee

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Who was Jan Menze van Diepen?

Jan Menze van Diepen was born in 1905 in the town Groningen, descending from a family of shipbuilders. At an early age he was fond of art and history.

Collecting was in his blood. In a period of more then 50 years he brought together an important and varied collection.

From his parents he inherited a fondness of Asian ceramics. Expanding their collection he acquired a splendid collection, unique for a private person. During the second world war he started another important part of the collection: prints and ceramic about the House of Oranje-Nassau (then in exile).

Van Diepen collected not only for himself. As much as possible he tried to let others enjoy too, by giving in loan his pieces of art for shorter or longer time.

Jan Menze van Diepen died in Haren, on February 26 1994.

The centuries-old Fraeylemaborg in Slochteren is open to the public since 1975. From the start the collection van Van Diepen has played an important role in the layout and furnishing of the borg, as well in respect to exhibitions as concerning the permanent furniture.

This special bond caused the 'Jan Menze van Diepen Foundation' in 1994 to house her collection in a new depot on the estate Fraeylemaborg.

In the Fraeylemaborg one can admire pieces of art from the Van Diepen collection scattered all over the building in changing composition

Jan Menze van Diepen

Fraeylemaborg Slochteren