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Aline Thomassen and Dior

While the following may seem like a promotion for the renowned KUNSTMUSEUM, rest assured that it is not. After spending over 45 years frequenting exhibitions at the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, Haags Gemeentmuseum, and Kunstmuseum, I can confidently state that this visit ranks among the top five experiences I have had at the museum, both professionally and as an art enthusiast. The current Thomassen exhibition is a true masterpiece, showcasing impressive works by the talented artist who recently received the prestigious Ouborg prize. And with the DIOR exhibition, the museum cements its place among the top institutions that have a keen appreciation for the history of fashion. Kudos to Margriet Schavemaker and Madelief Hohé for successfully transforming the museum rooms into a place fit for DIOR. As you exit the exhibition, prepare to be in awe. Make your way to the projectenzaal, where the stunning and colossal works by Aline Thomassen, the recipient of the Ouborg prize, are on display. While there may not be many of them, these 16 remarkable pieces are sure to leave a lasting impression. If this is the direction in which the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag (yes, I hope they will eventually drop the KUNSTMUSEUM name) is headed, I am confident that its international reputation will soar even higher. Not because of the name’s accessibility for non-Dutch speakers, but because of the unparalleled quality of its exhibitions.

For more books on Thomassen and fashion please visit www.ftn-books.com

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Crouwel poster reminder

Just to celebrate our new location a short reminder. FTN books & ARt has still a great se3lection of original Wim Crouwel material for sale. Among the items for sale are the impressive Stedelijk Museum posters he designde for the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam in the 60’s and 70’s. Because we are glad that moving to Oegstgeest is finished you can buy these with a 10% discount in the coming week using code : Oegst10Crouw.

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Toon Verhoef (continued)

Born in Voorburg in 1946, Toon Verhoef is a renowned painter. Prior to the creation of each painting, Verhoef undertakes studies on paper. These studies are not literal drawings, but rather collages incorporating elements of paint, paper, packaging materials, and dried remnants of paint.

From these series of images, Verhoef distills the elements that he deems fit for his paintings. These elements often include a specific use of color or a certain composition. As Verhoef explains, “Unmatched, unsteady images that need to remain standing in the painting in some way or another. The unmatched must match.”

One could consider Verhoef’s paintings to be abstract. As a viewer, the images are not clearly derived from reality. However, Verhoef’s work has a connection to reality in the sense that it draws from the origin of the images he uses – a newspaper photo, a packaging material. Although Verhoef transforms these images and renders them unrecognizable, something of their source still lingers in the painting.

Verhoef’s paintings are characterized by strong contrasts of color, forms and lines that dance across the canvas. He alternates between organic shapes and geometric lines, transparent forms and opaque areas. His vocabulary is playful, exploratory, and dynamic. As Verhoef says, “Each painting asks the viewer – what exactly are you looking at, how are you looking, and what do you see? […] It must work immediately. It has to work. […] It’s about accuracy. That’s how it should be.”

Verhoef studied at the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten in Amsterdam (1965-1966) and pursued a degree in art history at the University of South Africa in Johannesburg (1966-1968). He continued his studies at the Ateliers (1968-1970). Verhoef’s work has been exhibited at renowned institutions such as the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, De Pont (Tilburg), Kunstmuseum Bonn, and the Bonnefantenmuseum (Maastricht).

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Gerard Garouste (continued)

Gérard Garouste, a well-renowned French artisan, is most celebrated for his theatrical paintings and lithographs that delve into themes of global history and culture. His creations, influenced by both traditional and contemporary artists, combine surrealistic imagery with allusions to classic mythologies and Christian beliefs. Born in Paris, France on March 10, 1946, Garouste received his education at the École des Beaux-Arts and the atelier of Gustave Singier, where he collaborated with the legendary Marcel Duchamp. In 1980, he relocated to New York, showcasing his artwork at the prestigious Holly Solomen Gallery and Leo Castelli gallery. During this era, Garouste traveled extensively, fulfilling commissioned pieces for the Royal Theater in Namur, Belgium, the Notre-Dame Church in Talant, France, and the Élysée Palace in Paris. After establishing himself as a renowned figure in the art world, Garouste established La Source, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing art education to underprivileged children through open workshops and regular classes. In 2015, the French government awarded the artist the esteemed Legion of Honor for his philanthropic efforts and his significant impact on the art world. Presently, Garouste resides and creates in Marcilly-sur-Eure, Normandy, France, with his works being featured in renowned collections including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Fine Arts Museum of Caen, and the Santa Monica Museum of Art.

www.ftn-books.com has some nice Garouste titles available.

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Gillis van Oosten (1916-2005)

Visual artist Gillis of Oosten (1916–2005) spent most of his life in Delft, his birthplace.
In the 1950s, he lived and worked on the French Mediterranean coast, including in Cannes and Menton.
A large portion of his work went to Museum Prinsenhof Delft, some went to family, and now some is also on the market.
Museum Prinsenhof Delft has included a representative cross-section of one hundred works by Van Oosten in its collection, aligning with the pillar of “Delft masters” at the museum.

Gillis of Oosten experimented with various techniques and media during his career, from paintings and drawings to silkscreens and perspex reliefs. His objects display different artistic movements. His work ranges from realistic landscapes and self-portraits to abstract splatter drawings with Indian ink.
In the past, Museum Prinsenhof Delft has held several exhibitions on Van Oosten’s work. Soon, a small selection of his work (including “Harbor of Cannes” from 1954, see photo) will be on permanent display in the tower room of the old city hall on the market square.

www.ftn-books.com has now the 1993 Delft catalog available

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Lucien Clergue (continued)

A few years ago I wrote about the ARTA gallery in Den Haag, where limited edition graphic artworks were sold. In that post, I mentioned the purchase of a Lucien Clergue photograph from the gallery. It was from a series of photographs featuring a nude woman in the Mediterranean sea. The alluring body caught my attention not just because it was one of the first nude photographs offered to me, but also because of its exceptional quality.

At the time, I had no idea that photographs could be produced in limited editions, but upon seeing the stamp, signature, and edition number on the back of the photograph, I realized the reason for its affordability. It was a smart investment, as these photographs are now worth 200 times more and are sought after by photography collectors around the world.

Lucien Clergue (1934-2014) is a renowned photographer from the last century, and his series of naked women in the sea is considered among his best work. I still deeply appreciate this photograph and distinctly remember choosing the perfect copy to add to my collection. Although I no longer have a place to display it, I sometimes consider selling it in the future.

As a full-time antiquarian bookseller, I frequently come across Lucien Clergue publications, which I list for sale on www.ftn-books.com. Each time I do so, I am reminded of this captivating photograph of a woman in the sea by Lucien Clergue.

While there is still a great selection of photographs available for purchase on www.anneclergue.com, I have yet to see my particular photograph anywhere else on the web. Therefore, I would like to share it with you.

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Willem Sandberg must have admired Matisse

As a curator, Sandberg held a deep admiration for Matisse as an artist, and it can be assumed that Sandberg, as an artist himself, must have drawn inspiration from the older master. This is evident in Sandberg’s famous paper cuttings, which were created during a period when he was battling an illness. Matisse himself referred to this technique as “painting with scissors.” Could it be possible that Matisse’s cut-outs were the source of inspiration for Sandberg’s use of modeled torn papers in his book designs? These torn pieces of paper, combined with carefully crafted layouts, resulted in highly personal and iconic publications by Sandberg. While there are certainly differences between the two artists’ works, they both existed during the same artistic period, making it plausible that Matisse’s technique influenced Sandberg’s use of paper.

However, the survival of these two types of artworks has been vastly different. Sandberg’s paper publications, printed on paper, have easily lasted for 50 years or more. On the other hand, Matisse’s fragile cut-outs require restoration in order to preserve them for future generations. In the past 10 years, two significant restoration projects have been undertaken. One of these projects was the restoration of Matisse’s large cut-out composition “La Perruche et la Sirène,” from the collection of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. The other was a project at the Beyeler Museum, in which visitors were able to witness the progress of restoring a large canvas titled “Acanthes.” These restored works are now on display at their respective museums, showcasing the true splendor of Matisse’s art.

These accomplishments serve as a testament to why Matisse is widely regarded as one of the greatest artists of the last century. To learn more about these two remarkable artists, visit www.ftn-books.com for a selection of publications. www.ftn-books.com recently added the Picasso Matisse publication from the Stedelijk MUseum to its collection

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Franz Ackermann (1963)

Hailing from the year 1963 in Germany, Franz Ackermann currently resides and operates within the bustling cities of Berlin and Miami. His creative pursuits are fueled by the concept of travel as an immersive encounter, coupled with themes of displacement and observation. Through his vibrant and dynamic works, Ackermann skillfully interweaves bursts of saturated colors with layers of overlapping forms, which seamlessly meld with fragments of imagery captured from the multifaceted and ever-changing urban landscape. Delving deeper into the complexities of globalization and the impact of tourism on our society, Ackermann’s artistic explorations continue to evolve and captivate audiences worldwide.

www.ftn-books.com has the Stedelijk Museum catalog now available.

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Stedelijk Museum Classics

About a month ago i took a small stack of books published in the late 40″s/50′ and was struck by the classic beauty of these designs. Timeless and still contemporary. From Left to right:

Sandberg, Sandberg, Sandebrg and Aldo van Eyck

All titles are now available at www.ftn-books.com

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Pedro Zamorano (1953)

Here is what ZAmorano says about his work proces:

The various elements imbue vitality into every nook and cranny of the mystical void, where the sculptor’s touch is depicted as the gentle stroke that gives rise to the metamorphosis into art.

This transformation is not instantaneous; it requires its own internal time and process of maturation. The sculptor’s intense emotions, stemming from their pursuit of materials across the land, now flow within the workshop walls. Materials and concepts converge and converse in a more intimate and tranquil manner. Amidst the enchantment that envelops each moment, the journey towards defining the sculpture commences.

www.ftn-books.com has a nice San Sebastian published book on Zamorano now available.