New Era, New Art

Many iconic and inspiring works

After being excluded from professional groups and (art) associations for a long time, many Jews have finally succeeded in acquiring a visible place in society and the art world. The works in the exhibition reveal the stories of Jewish makers and clients who actively and self-consciously chose to integrate and emancipate.

Step into a bygone world of distinct styles that range from opulent and dynamic to sleek and geometric. New arts such as Art Nouveau, Amsterdam School and Art Deco are not only applied in expensive works of art. They can also be found in everyday life: from architecture and furniture to posters and crockery. The designs are aimed at making everyone's life more beautiful, such as a cookie tin from the HEMA department store, handkerchiefs from De Bijenkorf, and toaster packaging designed by Fré Cohen.

New Era, New art shows many iconic and inspiring works by well-known artists, architects and designers such as Joseph Mendes da Costa, Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, Fré Cohen and Michel de Klerk. A large number of them were made for Jewish clients, such as Tuschinski, De Bijenkorf, HEMA and some of the most beautiful synagogues in the Netherlands.