Jan van der Vaart: for Jan and all

Potter

The self-proclaimed “potter” had no interest in art with a capital A. Yet no one left such a mark on post-war Dutch ceramics as Jan van der Vaart (1931-2000). To make his works accessible to a wide audience, he worked in series production, a choice despised by fellow ceramists and collectors. But this approach made design accessible to everyone.

Jan van der Vaart: for art collector and thrifter alike

In the nearly fifty years that he was active, Van der Vaart received recognition from all sides: critics, museums, government and collectors. In addition, as a teacher at the Rietveld Academy, he trained more than a hundred ceramists, thereby exerting a lasting influence on new generations of makers. From hardcore art collectors to thrift store hunters, Van der Vaart's vases and other utensils were always embraced.

Major retrospective at Kunstmuseum Den Haag

From November 2025, Kunstmuseum Den Haag will present a major retrospective with more than 150 objects, from iconic series products to unique pieces, highlighting his significance for Dutch ceramics. The exhibition coincides with the publication of Jan van der Vaart: Meesterpottenbakker (Jan van der Vaart: Master Potter), a richly illustrated overview publication by the new art book foundation Cometa*.