Scope and Contents
The collection of lithographs by Aart van Dobbenburgh, with some additional woodcuts and drawings, as received in 2003, represents the almost complete output of the artist. It displays the diversity of his work, although there is a clear emphasis on landscapes and portraits. Noteworthy are the many portraits he made of his mother, his wife Cosja and his daughter Marthy, whom he portrayed from her birth in 1955 to his own death in 1988. As a graphic artist Van Dobbenburgh received assignments on a regular basis, often for posters but also for stamps or bookplates. Van Dobbenburgh’s work reveals him as an artist with a strong social engagement, committed to the abolishment of war, poverty and excessive drinking. His convictions combine communist, Christian and pacifist elements. In later years the social element receded into the background and Van Dobbenburgh focused instead on still lifes and landscapes. Stylistically the artist developed from a representative of expressionism through surrealism to realism, which in the later years of his career became somewhat obsolete. The collection Van Dobbenburgh includes a number of letters, mostly by the artist to his patron Mr. P.D. Sanderse, and documentation, like a draft for a story (Straat der zondaren
) and off-prints of articles on Van Dobbenburgh.
Dates
- Creation: 1920-1988
Conditions Governing Use
Regulations that apply during the use of these materials can be found on the website of Leiden University Library.
Biographical / Historical
Aart van Dobbenburgh (1899-1988) was born in Amsterdam but lived most of his life in Bentveld. Already during his education at the Instituut voor Kunstnijverheidsonderwijs he specialized in graphic art. Van Dobbenburgh remained essentially a graphic artist, devoted to lithography, although he did occasionally make paintings. He is also the author of a book on graphic art: Grafische kunst: over houtsnijden en lithografeeren, which was published in 1936. Van Dobbenburgh passed away in 1988 in Haarlem.
Extent
850 prints (circa), 10 drawings, some letters and documentation
Language of Materials
Undetermined
Abstract in Dutch
Grafisch oeuvre van de kunstenaar Aart van Dobbenburgh (1899-1988)
Abstract in English
Graphic oeuvre of the artist Aart van Dobbenburgh (1899-1988)
Physical Location
Leiden University Library, Special Collections
Other Finding Aids
All the prints are described in the online Catalogue use the word "Dobbenburgh" as search item. A concise list is available from the curator.
Custodial History
The collection was acquired by Mr. P.D. Sanderse from the artist since the 1950s. Being neighbours at the time, Mr. Sanderse acted as the artist’s patron, purchasing prints every year as a way to support the artist financially.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was transferred by Mrs. A.M. Sanderse-Schaap to the Print Room of Leiden University in 2003.
Accruals
No future additions are to be expected.
Bibliography
- Biografisch portaal (Dobbenburgh, Aart van)
- Dobbenburgh, Aart van, Grafische kunst: over houtsnijden en lithografeeren. Amsterdam 1936.
General
The material can be requested via the Catalogue and consulted in the Special Collections Reading Room.
Subject
- Dobbenburgh, Aart van, 1899- (Person)
Topical
- Title
- Collection guide of the Aart van Dobbenburgh collection (1920-1988)
- Subtitle
- Collectie Aart van Dobbenburgh
- Author
- Jef Schaeps, 2013
- Date
- 2013
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Beschrijving is in het Engels.
Revision Statements
- 4 November 2013: latest update
Repository Details
Part of the Leiden University Libraries Archives & Collections Repository
Witte Singel 27
Leiden 2311 BG Netherlands
+31 71 527 2857
specialcollections@library.leidenuniv.nl