Project Neurdenburg is organising a competition for the creation of the official portrait of Elisabeth Neurdenburg (1887–1957), the first female professor of art history in the Netherlands. The winning portrait will receive a permanent place in the Academy Building.

The competition is open to all artists. Because Neurdenburg was deeply committed to education and to supporting emerging creators, we particularly encourage early-career artists to participate.

Participants are asked to submit a sketch design in the required format (approx. 70 × 55 cm). We also request a digital copy of the sketch along with a short portfolio. Based on the submitted sketches, the jury will select three finalists.

The portrait must:

• be a good likeness and life-size;

• depict Neurdenburg wearing an academic gown with white collar (bef) and bow tie, optionally accompanied by an academic cap;

• be executed in oil paint or another durable material;

• be painted on canvas or panel measuring approximately 70 × 55 cm (excluding the frame).

A jury will select three finalists based on the submitted sketches. The winner will then be commissioned to execute the final portrait using the prize money.

• Winner: €3000 in prize money and the commission to execute the portrait using this budget.
• Second and third place:
  

  €500 each for reaching the final selection.

All submissions have the chance to be included in the exhibition on Neurdenburg. This offers participants the opportunity to present their work to a wider audience.

The final portrait will become part of the University of Groningen’s official portrait collection and will be given a permanent place in the Academy Building.

Yes. It is possible to submit your entry entirely digitally. A digital sketch is sufficient to participate in the competition. However, physical sketches often give the jury a clearer and more complete impression of the work. Submitting a physical sketch may therefore be advantageous in the selection process and also increases the chance that your submission will be included in the exhibition.

Physical sketches can be delivered in person to the concierge desk at Oude Boteringestraat 34 in Groningen. If preferred, works may also be sent by post, at the artist’s own risk, to the same address. In all cases, we also ask you to provide a digital copy of the sketch and a short portfolio.

The sketch may be submitted digitally or physically. A physical sketch, at full size, can be delivered to Oude Boteringestraat 34 in Groningen in the following ways:

1. Delivery to the concierge desk
   A staff member will be present to receive submissions on:
   Tuesday 27 January, until 4:30 PM
   Wednesday 28 January, until 4:30 PM
2. Delivery to the secretariat (when the concierge is not present)
   On weekdays between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM, submissions may also be delivered to the secretariat on the second floor:
   Room 2.10.
3. Weekend closure
   Please note that the building is closed on weekends. Physical submissions cannot be delivered on Saturdays or Sundays.
4. Late physical delivery (after online submission)
   If you have submitted your entry online by 1 February, it is still possible to deliver your physical work to the secretariat from the 2nd February till the 6th of February.
   

The physical sketch can also be sent by post at the artist’s own risk. While a digital submission is sufficient to participate, a physical sketch can give the jury a clearer impression of the work and may be advantageous in the selection process, as well as increase the chance of inclusion in the exhibition.

In all cases, we kindly ask you to also provide a digital copy of the sketch and a short portfolio by email to neurdenburgportrait@gmail.com or via the submission form on the website.

All sketch designs must be submitted by 1 February 2026.
The jury will meet in the first week of February and will announce the winner no later than 14 February 2026.
The selected artist is expected to complete the final portrait by 1 May 2026.