Dutch Modernism

Martin Visser | Wim Rietveld | Friso Kramer 

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In 2011 Rocket presented Revolt | Reform | Result – the first London exhibition dedicated to Post-War Domestic Dutch Furniture by Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld, Martin Visser, Cees Braakman, Rudolf Wolf and others. Furniture, objects, books and graphics from the 1950s, 60s and 70s were exhibited from Dutch manufacturers such as De Cirkel, Pastoe, ’t Spectrum, Gispen, Auping and Tomado. This selling exhibition was Rocket’s introduction to a UK audience of the work of these visionary designers who produced austere functional furniture that acknowledged the legacy of Gerrit Rietveld and the De Stijl movement. The exhibition title referenced the names of Friso Kramer’s famous table and chairs.

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In 2012 Jonathan Stephenson went on to present the first London exhibition of furniture by Martin Visser (1922-2009). Visser was a furniture designer, art collector and museum director. He started work in the furniture department of the Amsterdam department store De Bijenkorf and in 1954 was appointed Chief of Purchasing. In 1954 he was appointed Head Designer at ’t Spectrum and during the 1960s he acquired the company. From the late 1960s he became Chief Curator at the Museum Boijmans ven Beuningen, Rotterdam. In 2012 the Bonnefantenmuseum, Maastricht presented Martin Visser: collector, designer, free spirit.

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Jonathan Stephenson published an article entitled 'Going Dutch’ in the Spring/Summer 2013 issue of Mid Century Magazine  click here