Fiep Westendorp in Amsterdam

If you are visiting the Ed van der Elsken exhibition anyway, you can see the beautiful exhibition of Fiep Westendorp's drawings at the bottom of the stairs in the exhibition space. Jip and Janneke, Otje, Pluk van de Petteflet, and Pim and Pom. Since the 1950s, Fiep Westendorp's illustrations have been known and loved by young and old. All original drawings, including corrections and notes, have been preserved. Approximately 150 of these will be on display at the Rijksmuseum this coming summer, from the first sketches of Jip and Janneke to the still-relevant illustrations for the Women's Page of Het Parool. This exhibition, spread across two rooms, offers a multifaceted overview of the oeuvre and delves deeper into the creative process. The exhibition 'Fiep Westendorp' is on view until September 13, 2026, at the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam).

Illustration

From a young age, Fiep Westendorp (1916 – 2004) knew she wanted to become an illustrator. She studied at the Royal School of Art and Technology in Den Bosch, where she was the only female student, and later at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rotterdam. Early sketchbooks in the exhibition show how she developed her distinctive style: quick, humorous, and with a keen observation of human traits. 

The power of limitations 

After the Second World War, Fiep Westendorp settled in Amsterdam and worked extensively for Het Parool, particularly for the Women's Page. As a financially independent illustrator, she was a striking exception at a time when few women were active in this profession. The exhibition shows how the limitations of printing techniques and narrow newspaper columns forced her towards simplicity. This is how her clear graphic visual language emerged, with powerful lines and limited details. 

Famous characters  

In 1952, the first installment of 'Jip and Janneke' appeared on the Parool children's page, initially with reading lines for children who had just started reading. The first drawings differed strikingly from the later, well-known figures: the bodies were more realistically proportioned. Gradually, the characters became increasingly stylized, with smaller bodies, short legs, and large heads with the characteristic pointed noses. The two neighbor children from Annie M.G. Schmidt's stories grew into icons of Dutch visual culture.  

In the late 1950s, new main characters followed: the cats Pim and Pom. Original sketches with notes for these are also on display in the exhibition. Fiep Westendorp illustrated Mies Bouhuys's stories and gave the duo a distinctive character. 

Annie MG Schmidt 

From the 1960s onwards, new printing techniques offered Fiep Westendorp more artistic possibilities. She used a wide variety of materials. In addition to Indian ink and collage, she now also used gouache and watercolor. This allowed her to work with greater precision and apply more color and nuance. Together with Annie M.G. Schmidt, she brought beloved characters to life in books such as Otje, Pluk van de Petteflet, and Floddertje. Fiep Westendorp grew into one of the most iconic Dutch illustrators of the 20th century. With her recognizable visual language, she created characters that have captured the imagination for generations. 

Eye-catchers – Covers, posters, advertising

Her posters, covers, and advertising drawings are collected in this book compiled by Gioia Smid. An impressive selection of 'eye-catchers': illustrations intended to catch the eye and seduce the viewer. Fiep excelled at capturing the content of a book or campaign in a single powerful and often humorous image. In doing so, this book sheds new light on the oeuvre of a versatile illustrator.

<strong> More info: </strong>

Fiep Westendorp until 13 September 2026 at the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam):

https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/zien-en-doen/tentoonstellingen/fiep-westendorp

Fiep Westendorp: https://www.fiepwestendorp.nl/fiepamsterdam/

The book Fiep Westendorp (biography) has been published in conjunction with the exhibition. A must for every enthusiast.

Recent and older museum blogs: https://www.freestampmagazine.nl/tag/made-in-holland/