Wim Pijbes has resigned his position as the director of Joop van Caldenborgh’s private Museum Voorlinden in the Netherlands. Pijbes high profile as the director of the Rijksmuseum made the move a dramatic choice and much-watched role.

Today, Pijbes explained the latest development to the New York Times:

“We both had the feeling that it was better for both of us and for the museum to stop and to quit,” Mr. Pijbes said in a telephone interview. “I felt I had more freedom to advise Joop and to bring added value to the museum as a board member. We did not want to spoil our friendship.” […]

“We had different ideas on the museum after it opened,” Mr. Pijbes said on Tuesday, adding that there is a common Dutch saying that two captains could not steer the same ship. “It’s about expectations and reality. We had a good conversation, and we both agreed that we were both not happy with how it was going. I offered to step aside.”

Mr. Pijbes said he had no plans yet for what he would do next. “It’s disappointing, yes, for both of us,” he added. “But I feel relieved in a way.”

Wim Pijbes Quits Post at Museum Voorlinden After Less Than 3 Months  (NYTimes.com)