Bijbels Museum in Amsterdam Unveils Podcast Exploring Wartime Journey of 'Benjamin voor Jozef'
The Bijbels Museum (Cromhouthuizen) in Amsterdam is drawing attention to a significant piece of local cultural heritage with the launch of a new podcast. Titled "Benjamin voor Jozef," the podcast delves into the remarkable history of a painting by Amsterdam artist Josina Smeenk-Knap, which was removed during World War II and has recently found a new home closely linked to its original display. This initiative by the museum helps illuminate a compelling narrative of art, resilience, and wartime events in the city.
The Compelling History of 'Benjamin voor Jozef'
The painting, depicting a scene from the Old Testament story of Joseph and his brothers, faced removal in 1941. At the instruction of the German Sicherheitsdienst, the artwork was taken from the hall of the Christelijke HBS (Christian High School) on what was then Euterpestraat in Amsterdam. The school's concierge, in a swift act of preservation, rolled up the canvas and hid it away the same day, preventing its loss when the school was later destroyed by an English bombardment in 1944.
Artist Josina Smeenk-Knap, after years living in Blokzijl and Renkum, returned to Amsterdam in 1949, believing her painting to be lost. However, during a visit to the painters' supplies shop Van Beek on Stadhouderskade, she was informed that "Benjamin voor Jozef" was being stored in their workshop, having been placed there for safekeeping by the concierge. This unexpected rediscovery marked the beginning of the painting's next chapter.
Rediscovering a Lost Piece of Amsterdam's Wartime Art
In 1975, the artist generously donated the painting to the Bijbels Museum in Amsterdam, where it was part of the permanent collection for many years. However, around 2000, during a redesign, it was moved into storage. More recently, as part of a collection review project titled Toekomst Collecties Bijbels Museum (Future Collections Bijbels Museum), discussions took place between the museum and the artist's heirs.
A collaborative decision was made to transfer the artwork to the St. Ignatiusgymnasium. This school is the chronological successor to the original Christelijke HBS, located in the same area between Gerrit van der Veenstraat and Jan van Eijckstraat. Rector Bert Schuller of St. Ignatiusgymnasium expressed delight at receiving the painting, noting its significant historical value and its ability to make the history of World War II tangible for current students at that very location. This move ensures the painting continues to tell its unique story within an educational context in Amsterdam.
The Podcast: Unraveling the Painting's Personal Saga
To further explore this fascinating story, the Bijbels Museum commissioned Bertien Minco, director of the Kamp Westerbork Memorial Center, to create a two-part podcast. Minco's podcast uniquely interweaves the wartime journey of the painting with the personal history of her own mother, creating a poignant and deeply personal narrative. Josina Knap's atelier, located at Sarphatipark in Amsterdam, features as a central location in this compelling audio series.
Listeners can explore the intricate details of this historical and personal journey:
The transport, restoration, framing, and installation of the painting were made possible through contributions from the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds and the Stichting Vrienden van het Ignatius.
This initiative exemplifies how cultural institutions like the Bijbels Museum contribute to preserving and sharing significant historical narratives. To discover more about cultural spots and historical art in Amsterdam, Musemap (musemap.art) invites you to browse local museums or explore the city's cultural map.
