Jan van Haasteren (80 years old) in 2016

Comic and puzzle artist Jan van Haasteren celebrated his 80th birthday in 2016. This was the reason for PostNL to issue a Post Book containing a set of four stamp sheets, each with three different stamps. Information about this appeared in Collect number 90 (winter 2016). From May 26, 2023, to January 14, 2024, Jan van Haasteren was featured in an exhibition at the Stadsmuseum Harderwijk with the telling title 'Alle gekheid op een stuk!' (All joking aside!).

Jan van Haasteren (CV)

Van Haasteren grew up in Schiedam, where he trained as a house painter at the Vocational School. Afterwards, he went to the Academy of Fine Arts in Rotterdam, where, on his father's advice, he studied Publicity & Advertising. After his studies, he worked as an assistant to Loek van Delden on the comic strip Smidje Verholen. From 1962 to 1966, he worked at the Toonder Studios, initially in the animation department. From 1963 onwards, he worked as a comic artist, primarily on the strips Kappie, Tom Poes, and Hiawatha.

Drawings of the Crook, the Shark Fin, and the Police Officer.

In 1966, Van Haasteren briefly moved to Joop Geesink's studios, where he worked on the series Rick the Frog. After this, he worked as a freelancer for Toonder, among others. From then on, however, his own work took center stage. With scriptwriter Patty Klein, with whom he would often collaborate, he created the comic strip Bartje and Opa. This collaboration continued with, among others, Sjaak and Uncle George for KRO Studio and Erik and Opa, a new version of Bartje and Opa that appeared in Jippo starting in 1975.

Drawings by the Father-in-law, Jan, and the Mother-in-law.

From 1972 he drew Baron van Tast for Pep, with screenplays by Renée van Utteren, Lo Hartog van Banda, Frits van der Heide and Patty Klein. The gag strip Voortvluchtig also appeared in Pep. In Donald Duck Ketelbinkie appeared, written by Wim Meuldijk, and Ome Arie. From 1974, after a script by Philip Sohier, he drew the strip Tinus Trotyl for Sjors, which was continued in Eppo from 1975, for which he also drew De Stuntels together with Toon van Driel. In Eppo To Be Continued he published the comic Brian and the brainbox, written by David Ireland. He also published many separate comics in De Vrije Balloen, using the pseudonyms Harold Hurry and Jean Pion, among others. He has drawn a large number of jigsaw puzzles for game manufacturer Jumbo.

Drawings of the Indian, the Super Snail, and Sinterklaas.

In recent years, Van Haasteren, together with Rob Derks and Dick Heins, has focused on drawing large Jumbo puzzle pictures where all sorts of things are happening. His signature there is the shark fin.

Drawings of the Tax Inspector, Santa Claus, and Cat and Mouse.

In 2006 Jan van Haasteren was awarded the Bulletje en Boonestaak Scale by Het Stripschap. On April 26, 2013, he was made a Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau.

All joking aside! (May 26, 2023 to January 14, 2024)

In 2023, the Marius van Dokkum Museum celebrated its 5th anniversary. This was to be celebrated in various ways throughout Harderwijk. And those celebrating a birthday treat others! Marius van Dokkum gifted the city, its inhabitants, and visitors a fantastic exhibition in which humor naturally played the leading role. He invited his friend and colleague Jan van Haasteren to exhibit at the Stadsmuseum Harderwijk during the anniversary year. Jan van Haasteren is world-famous for his cheerful puzzles and, in this dazzling exhibition, offers a glimpse behind the scenes of his studio. “All Kindness on a Piece! 10 Years of Studio Jan van Haasteren” was on display at the Stadsmuseum Harderwijk.