Amsterdam
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Discover Fré Cohen's Graphic Art and Amsterdam School Ideals at Museum Het Schip in Amsterdam

Uncover her pivotal role in graphic design, reflecting socialist movements and Jewish heritage within the Amsterdam School.

Museum Het Schip presents an insightful exhibition on Fré Cohen (1903-1943), a prominent Dutch artist. Explore her diverse graphic designs for Amsterdam's municipality and socialist organizations, showcasing her unique aesthetic and social commitments. The exhibition delves into her strong connection to the Jewish proletariat and the enduring legacy of the Amsterdam School.

About Fré Cohen: vorm en idealen van de Amsterdamse School at Museum Het Schip in Amsterdam

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Fré Cohen: vorm en idealen van de Amsterdamse School at Museum Het Schip in Amsterdam

Exhibition summary

This exhibition at Museum Het Schip celebrates the Dutch artist and graphic designer Fré Cohen (1903-1943). It explores her significant contributions to the Amsterdam School movement, highlighting her work for various socialist organizations and her profound connection to the Jewish proletariat of Amsterdam.

Curatorial context

From November 2, 2021, to October 30, 2022, Museum Het Schip presents an exhibition dedicated to Fré Cohen (1903-1943), a pivotal Dutch artist and graphic designer. Cohen was a successful and influential figure in the male-dominated field of graphic design, making substantial contributions to the Amsterdam School movement. Her work vividly articulates both the aesthetic language and the underlying ideals of this period. She created graphic designs for the municipality of Amsterdam, socialist organizations such as the Social Democratic Workers' Party (SDAP), the Workers' Youth League (AJC), trade unions, and cooperatives. Her Jewish heritage is intrinsically linked to the narrative of the Amsterdam School, which had strong roots in the Jewish proletariat, including the diamond workers' movement. Cohen's tragic story, culminating in her death during World War II, reflects a significant part of Amsterdam's history and the Amsterdam School's legacy. Fré Cohen's artistic output was remarkably diverse, encompassing linocuts for ex-libris and book covers, drawings, watercolors, posters, medals, and even flags. Museum Het Schip, while possessing a limited collection of her work, collaborates with private collectors, other museums, the Amsterdam City Archives, and the International Institute of Social History (IISG) for this comprehensive overview. The exhibition delves into her social ideals, feminist perspectives, and Jewish inspirations, offering a full spectrum of her artistic contributions. A publication titled 'Fre Cohen: vorm en idealen van de Amsterdamse School' has been released in conjunction with the exhibition, and a detailed oeuvre catalogue, featuring nearly a thousand designs, has also been compiled, underscoring Cohen's immense productivity and versatility.

Fré Cohen: vorm en idealen van de Amsterdamse School key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Fré Cohen: vorm en idealen van de Amsterdamse School at Museum Het Schip in Amsterdam

Venue
Museum Het Schip
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
Nov 2, 2021 – Oct 30, 2022
Artist line / attribution
Fré Cohen (1903-1943) was a Dutch artist and graphic designer.
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