In a classroom at the beginning of the 20th century, the soft monkey note mies echoes. Children look at the reading board, where illustrations by Cornelis Jetses (1873-1955) bring words to life. His colorful drawings full of imagination fit well with the new ideas about education at the time, in which beauty and art were given an increasingly important role.
In Jetses. Art for the Classroom you will discover both his craftsmanship and the story behind the man who made generations of children look, dream and learn. Jetses was classically trained and was inspired by Art Nouveau, an art movement that was popular in the world of lithographs and printing. The exhibition includes the images Caterpillar Fairy and Children's Parade, drawn in the distinctive Art Nouveau style. The stylized black lines and floral motifs catch the eye.
His illustrations stimulated children's imaginations and fit perfectly with the ideals of child-centered education (reform pedagogy). And they did, the exhibition is full of wonderful sketches, drawings, reading boards, school records and other illustrations.
Who was Cornelis Jetses?
In addition, you get an insight into his life. Why did Cornelis Jetses not become a free artist, but chose education? How did his childhood, education and collaborations shape his illustrations? You will see how he incorporated personal details: his wife in a school plate and his daughter in the German predecessor of Ot and Sien.
Work not previously shown
And you will discover extraordinary work that has not been shown before, such as the illustrations he made with Jewish painter Ludwig Blum. He was good at drawing landscapes, but was less strong at depicting figures. On the contrary, Jetses was strong in depicting people, so he painted them beautifully in the landscapes upon request.
An exhibition for anyone interested in the power of imagination, art illustrations and the history of education.
Please note! The end date of this exhibition is indicated here as December 31, 2025, but due to budget cuts (and discussions about this with several parties) this exhibition may end at an earlier date. If you have plans to see the exhibit, please check with the museum in advance to see if the exhibit is still running!
