Skip to main content
Netherlands News in English

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Aelbert_Cuyp-The_Negro_Page
A page with two horses by Dutch artist Aelbert Cuyp (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) - Credit: A page with two horses by Dutch artist Aelbert Cuyp (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Art
Albert Cuyp
Barack Obama
British royal family
Kensington Palace
Wednesday, 27 April 2016 - 10:25

Share this article:

"Negro" title on Dutch painting quickly covered before Obama's royal visit

At least one lackey working in the Kensington Palace in the United Kingdom deserves a raise this year. The royal aide noticed the word "Negro" on a plaque describing a Dutch painting only minutes before American President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle was set to arrive in the room. The painting in question is "The Negro Page" by Dutch artist Albert Cuyp. It was named when the artist painted it in 1660 and its name was since updated to "A page with two horses". But not on the plaque describing the painting where it hangs in Duke William and Duchess Kate's private apartment in the palace, where they entertained the Obamas on Friday night. A frantic employee was sent for a screwdriver and removed the plaque before the Americans arrival. A houseplant was strategically moved to hide its absence. "Everyone knew this was the first time cameras had been allowed into the the Duke and Duchess' private home so everything had been prepped accordingly", a source said to British news agency The Sun. "Imagine the horror when someone spotted the N-word on the huge painting that dominated the room. No-one wanted to cause any offense to the Obamas so a screwdriver was summoned to remove the picture's title." The painting is part of the British Royal Family's private art collection. According to The Sun, Duchess Kate herself picked it out to hang in her living room.

More like this

Image
"Endgame" author Omar Scobie
Author of "Endgame": Dutch publisher received earlier version without his knowledge
Image
Shepard Fairey - Raise the Level - Mural at STRAAT Museum
Obama iconic poster artist Shepard Fairey unveils new mural in Amsterdam
Make NL Times your top Google source

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Man who held hostages in Ede, Vught moved to Groningen psychiatric clinic
  • Rotterdam-based chip inspection technology firm raises €331 million in deeptech funding
  • PostNL removes 800 mailboxes as Dutch mail reliability stays below legal standard
  • PRO, VVD, D66, Volt, and CDA strike deal to govern Rotterdam
  • Drug activity overruns Den Helder neighborhood, dealers take over at-risk locals’ homes

Top stories

  • Heat wave: Code Orange weather alert for 36°C temps takes effect on Wednesday
  • More international students facing housing issues in Netherlands, from bedbugs to fraud
  • Woman, 42, drowns in Waal after rescuing children from water
  • Average Netherlands home price rose by 4.4% to €487,383 in May
  • Video: Explosion damages Amsterdam-Oost apartment building; Two teens on fatbike sought

© 2012-2026, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Change Privacy Settings
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Partner Content