Enjoyable Exhibition Of Modern Dutch Graphic Art

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 21

Enjoyable Exhibition Of Modern Dutch Graphic Art

Twenty-eight living artists are represented in the travelling exhibition of contemporary Dutch graphic art at the McDougall Art Gallery, and the show seems to fulfil the aim expressed in the catalogue by Mr J. N. van Wesjem, director of the municipal museum. De Lakenhal, Leiden, who selected the works, of giving i cross-section of' present-day print-making in Holland. Artists in Holland, as in most Northern European countries, have long had an affinity for the graphic processes, reaching a peak in the etchings of Rembrandt After this a decline began, culminating, as it did throughout Europe, in the relegation of graphic processes to purely reproductive purposes. In the late 19th century began the revival of interest in gravure as i creative medium which has continued to the present day. As in most graphic art exhibitions. there are a few products of printmakers whose sole interest is their technical virtuosity. The graphic processes, because of their complexity, seem to create this attitude more readily than any other medium. But there is not much of this; it is confined mainly to those who are solely graphic artists. Many of the artists represented work in the current international styles which are as acceptable in Tokyo as in Amsterdam. Others •> back to old sources, but as in

Jeanne Bieruma Oosting’s “The Paradise,” this tends to savour of the academy. This artist, one of the few who uses colour, is .^ e * uccessful in his aquatint, The Grapes,” where he capitalises on the embossing effect which is inherent in the intaglio printing process.

The influence of Picasso, one of the century’s great graphic artists as well as a great painter, is strong in many of the works, such as those by Toon Wegner and Co Westerik. G. V. A. Boling’s aquatint “Terero and Bull” owes a lot to the Spanish master’s bullfight drawings, but’ his elegant circus pony lithographs are less derivative and as lively as their subjects. One of the few whose etchings are in the classical linear style is Herman Berzerik, whose “Pregnant Woman” is beautifully drawn. Another who uses line—in a slightly Oriental way—is Jan Wiegers. His lithographs and aquatints are among the finest prints in the whole collection.

Jef Diederen’s lithographs in which warmth and richness is achieved with only broad masses on white and few middle tones, are other particularly enjoyable works in a most enjoyable exhibition. It was organised by the Netherlands institute for International Cultural Relations. At 3 p.m. on Sunday, Mr Rudolph Gopas will give a talk about the collection. —J.N.K..