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Piet Cleveringa collection

 Collection
Identifier: ubl086

Scope and Contents

The collection of prints provides a varied survey of modern printmaking in Holland during three decades. While some artists are represented with one work only, others are present with a small group of works. Artists that were especially favoured by the collector are Dick Cassée, Paul Damsté, Ko Oosterkerk, Ton van Os and Guillaume Le Roy. Besides individual prints, some portfolios are included in the donation, like those by Jan Cremer, Lucebert and Eduardo Paolozzi. The donation also includes a group of works, originating from the Prent 190 Publishers. The box of drawings that Cleveringa donated in 2005 was given to him on the occasion of the closure of his exhibition centre 'De Kijkschuur' and contains works by artists that exhibited there in the course of time.

Dates

  • Creation: 1965-1995

Creator

Conditions Governing Use

Regulations that apply during the use of these materials can be found on the website of Leiden University Library.

Biographical / Historical

Born in 1917, Piet Cleveringa studied law at Leiden University and pursued a career with the government. All his working life he was employed by the 'Ministerie van Justitie' (Ministry of Justice) as Director of the Police. His interest in art was raised when he was asked in 1958 to become chairman of the artist society ' Haagse Kunstkring' in The Hague. Shortly after this, he began to collect art. In the years 1978-1988, after his retirement, he started organising exhibitions at his own exhibition centre 'De Kijkschuur' in Acquoy, a small village in the Dutch countryside. Many of the artists represented in his collection exhibited there. In recent years he donated the majority of his collection to the state, to museums and to Leiden University. Cleveringa died in 2013.

Extent

206 prints and a box with drawings

Language of Materials

Undetermined

Abstract in Dutch

Verzameling moderne grafiek en een kleine groep tekeningen van vooral Nederlandse kunstenaars, bijeengebracht door Mr. Piet Cleveringa (1917-2013).

Abstract in English

Collection of modern graphic art and a small group of drawings, primarily by Dutch artists, gathered by Mr. Piet Cleveringa (1917-2013).

Physical Location

Leiden University Library, Special Collections

Other Finding Aids

All works have been recorded in the Digitool database. A catalogue, including an inventory, of the collection was published by Schaeps [et. al.] (2004).

Custodial History

The collection of Mr. Piet Cleveringa consisted of paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings. These he purchased from art galleries, from graphic publishing houses or from the artists themselves. Some of the works in his collection were received as gifts from artists while working closely together on exhibitions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection of graphic art was donated to the university during the period 2000-2004. In 2005 Mr. Piet Cleveringa added a box with drawings by contemporary artists to his earlier donations.

Accruals

No future additions are to be expected.

Related Materials

The prints and drawings from the collection of Mr. Piet Cleveringa are part of the larger collections of modern and contemporary art in the Print Room. Related collections are those of the Donation Annie en Guus Huisman-van Bergen en N. Bakker.

Separated Materials

At the same time that Cleveringa donated his collection of prints to the Leiden Print Room, he also donated his archival papers concerning his involvement with the student's theatrical performances to the University History Museum and his collection of books on art to the library of the Institute of Art History. Earlier Cleveringa had donated his collection of paintings and sculptures to the Dutch state, to be distributed among Dutch Museums. Smaller ensembles were donated to several museums directly, notably Museum Kröller-Müller in Otterlo (Holland).

Bibliography

  • Ottevanger, Alied [et. al.]., Op het eerste gezicht: de collectie Cleveringa. Den Haag 1988.
  • Schaeps, Jef & Piet Raven, Gabriel Rolt, Marijke van Wees, Met passie verzameld. Grafiek uit de collectie Cleveringa. Leiden 2004.

General

The material of this collection can be requested at the Special Collections Reading Room.

Processing Information

The prints and drawings have been integrated into the general collections of drawings and prints. In 2004 a large part of the donation was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague.

Title
Collection guide of the Piet Cleveringa collection (1965-1995)
Subtitle
Collectie Piet Cleveringa
Author
Jef Schaeps, 2006
Date
2006
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
This finding aid has been written in English.

Revision Statements

  • 18 February 2014: latest update

Repository Details

Part of the Leiden University Libraries Archives & Collections Repository

Contact:
Witte Singel 27
Leiden 2311 BG Netherlands
+31 71 527 2857