Traveler in graph

Wanderlust, a love of craft, and commitment. These are the hallmarks of graphic artist Jaap Veldheer (1866–1954), who made a splash at the beginning of the last century with his woodcuts, etchings, and zincographs. As a promoter and innovator of graphic art, he was also a pioneer in the field of book design. His interest in cities, coastal areas, and the sea prompted him to frequently change locations. Based in Haarlem, he worked alternately in The Hague and Amsterdam, but also regularly on the Zuiderzee coast and in North Kennemerland. His love of old cities, harbor towns, and quiet villages also led him to Belgium and Germany. When he settled in Bergen in 1900 at the same time as the painter Job Graadt van Roggen, he unknowingly laid the first foundation for what would become the artists’ village. Numerous painters, sculptors, poets, and musicians soon followed in Veldheer’s wake. Kranenburgh honors the passionate pioneer with an exhibition about the artist and his artist friends, opening Saturday, May 20, 2017, in the old building (villa).

Traveling

The exhibition unfolds as a journey through Veldheer’s favorite cities and landscapes. Much attention is paid to the German city of Nuremberg, which the graphic artist has captured in beautiful color prints. Convinced that an artist should use their craft and creativity to benefit the community, he enthusiastically dedicates himself to all kinds of local activities alongside his work. For example, he founded the local tourist office in Bergen and personally illustrated the first Guide to Bergen and Bergen aan Zee. In 1907, he and his artist friends founded the first Kunstzaal (Art Gallery), the precursor to the famous Kunstzaal of collector Piet Boendermaker and the KunstenaarsCentrumBergen (Artists’ Center Bergen). The book “Het dorp Bergen” (1906), perhaps Veldheer’s best-known work and the final piece of the exhibition, testifies to both his mastery and his love for the village.

Inspiration

Veldheer drew inspiration from the work of his artist friends – and vice versa. The exhibition highlights the work of these renowned artists, including graphic artist Theo van Hoytema (1863–1917), poet Carel Adama van Scheltema (1877–1924), and sculptor Tjipke Visser (1876–1955). It demonstrates how the Bergen dune landscape provides an inexhaustible source of inspiration for all artists, especially Veldheer. His “search for light” inspired several young painters who would later form the core of the Bergen School of painters, such as Arnout Colnot and Dirk Filarski.

The exhibition is made possible in part by the A. Roland Holstfonds Foundation and with the support and loans of the Drents Museum, the Regional Archives, and the North Holland Archives. The exhibition also features two new private donations from a generous donor.