This auction is giving works of art from Radboud University a new life

31 August 2026 News item

Over more than 100 years, Radboud University has built up a substantial art collection. For many years, the works were displayed across the campus, helping to create an inspiring environment for staff and students, but they are now gathering dust in storage. To give these artworks a new lease of life and to manage the collection more effectively, over 1,000 artworks will be auctioned in October. ‘This is a unique opportunity to buy a piece of Radboud’s history.’

‘There has hardly been a period when there wasn’t a crane on campus,’ says conservator Chris Dols. ‘And to decorate all those buildings, the university spent decades purchasing screen prints, lithographs and other types of art.’ In addition to these purchases, the university acquired works through the BKR scheme, a scheme from the last century (1949–1987) for artists who struggled to make ends meet from their work.

Most of that art collection – around 1,500 works – is now stored in a depot on campus. ‘And that’s a shame,’ says Willy Piron, head of the Centre for Art Historical Documentation. ‘Those works should be hanging on a wall somewhere rather than gathering dust.’ Moreover, the larger the collection, the more difficult it is to manage. That is why Radboud University is offering a large part of the collection – over 1,000 works – at auction this autumn. ‘To manage our collection effectively and use it for teaching, research and exhibitions, we have to decide which works to keep and which no longer fit with the university’, explains Piron.

The warehouse of the Veilet auction house, containing, amongst other things, the works from Radboud University to be auctioned

Retro

Together with Niek Steenhuis, collection manager at Radboud University and Radboudumc, Piron assessed which works the university would retain and which would be made available for auction. ‘We looked at which works best reflect the university’s identity and narrative. Think, for example, of a work by a regional artist or art that reflects the history and development of the university,’ explains Steenhuis. ‘We also looked at the condition of the artworks and to what extent they are suitable for display on campus,’ adds Piron. ‘After all, not everyone is keen on a minotaur with a bull’s head and a naked body.’

And so anyone with a connection to Radboud University – students, current and former staff, and alumni – can bid on the collection in mid-October. Dols: ‘Perhaps you’ve seen certain pieces of art hanging in the buildings where you attended lectures or in the office where you worked. It’s a unique opportunity to buy a piece of Radboud’s history.’ Retro enthusiasts are in for a treat, as the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s are well represented in the collection to be auctioned.

From left to right: Niek Steenhuis, Willy Piron and Chris Dols

See, smell and touch

By auctioning off items, Radboud University is following a trend. ‘A large collection is difficult to manage,’ explains Piron. ‘It makes it harder to keep track of what’s there, what condition it’s in and the stories behind the works. What’s more, a compact collection is easier to put to use.’ Think of lectures where students can study works of art or exhibitions on campus. ‘Working with collections is in vogue: in the educational context of object-based teaching, learning ability is rooted, amongst other things, in being able to see, touch and smell old books, research instruments or paintings,’ says Dols.

A smaller core collection also offers scope for renewal. Steenhuis: ‘At the moment, of course, the university has to make cutbacks, but hopefully better times will come sooner or later, making it possible to add contemporary artworks to the collection.’ A second wish is to be able to hang more art in the buildings again. ‘An art-filled environment makes people happier; it inspires. There is scientific evidence for this. Ideally, you wouldn’t have a storage facility at all, just art on the walls.’

The three art lovers themselves will, of course, also be bidding in October. On which work? ‘We’re not giving that away just yet.’

The online auction will take place from 19 October. From 8 October, you will be able to view a preview of the artworks. Keep an eye on the auction page for the preview and all the practical information about the auction.

Contact information

Organizational unit: Faculty of Arts, Radboud Institute for Culture and History