Mayor Koen Schuiling (2019-2024)

About this artwork.

Koen Frank Schuiling (born 1959) is a Dutch politician and jurist affiliated with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). He studied law and public administration at the University of Groningen from 1978 to 1984. After his studies, he worked as a university lecturer in administrative law and public administration at the same university.

His political career began in 1994 as a member of the municipal council in Groningen. After the departure of Johan Remkes in 1996, he served as VVD group leader until 1998. From 1998 to 2006, Schuiling was alderman for economic affairs, traffic and transport, and from 2002 also responsible for social affairs and sheltered employment. On January 1, 2010, Schuiling was appointed mayor of Den Helder, a position he held until 2019.

In 2019, Schuiling returned to Groningen as mayor. He played a significant role in strengthening regional security and administrative cooperation. He was known for his decisive approach to complex issues such as the asylum crisis in Ter Apel and the aftermath of the gas extraction problems. Under his leadership, Groningen established itself more firmly as a center of northern cooperation and security, notably through his chairmanship of the Groningen Safety Region.

However, Schuiling stepped down prematurely from his position on October 23, 2024, a year before the end of his term. He cited a lack of energy to fully commit to the challenges at hand, specifically referencing the asylum situation in Ter Apel and the handling of gas extraction issues in Groningen. His departure in 2024 was seen as a loss of an experienced and dedicated administrator. After his resignation, Mirjam van 't Veld (CDA) was appointed acting mayor of Groningen.

The official mayoral portrait was painted in 2025 by Jacqueline Kasemier (born 1948), a painter born in Groningen. She studied at the Minerva Art Academy in Groningen and currently lives and works in the northern Groningen village of Usquert. The goal of a painted portrait is the same for both the commissioner and the artist: to capture a striking likeness and to create an aesthetically compelling artwork. The painting process considers not only physical features but also the presence and character of the portrayed individual. A good rapport with the model contributes to an authentic representation — and in this case, that connection was especially pleasant, which is reflected in the final result, according to Kasemier. To enliven the classical nature of the painting, a playful addition was included: a colorful, imaginary tie. The background was inspired by The Allegory of Good Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, a famous fresco in the Italian city of Siena. The positioning of the mayor in the panel was carefully chosen to highlight his modest and kind nature.

Kasemier paints in the tradition of the northern realists and has a broad range of subjects. Her work includes still lifes, landscapes, portraits, and thematic scenes, often inspired by mythology or history. She has painted several academic portraits for the Academy Building of the University of Groningen.

In recent years, Kasemier has mainly focused on the theme of water. Her paintings of ponds, fens, and canals surrounding Groningen manor houses and farms reveal her fascination with the layered effects created by reflection, transparency, and the worlds within and on the surface of water.

Facts & Figures.

• Artist(s)
  Jacqueline Kasemier

• Year of creation
  2025

• Collection
  Town Hall Collection

• Technic
  Oil paint on board