To the big public Jan Bons is known for, amongst others, his eye-catching posters for theatre group De Appel and film festival IDFA. Together with Otto Treumann, Dick Elffers and Willem Sandberg, that Dutch graphic design has become known world-wide after the Second World War.
Jan Bons
Throughout his life Jan Bons has remained active as a graphic designer, even now that he is well on in years. Not too long ago he designed posters for both the Nieuw Ensemble and IDFA.The 76 metres long wall-painting that Bons created together with Rietveld for the world exhibition 'Así es Holanda' in Mexico in 1952 is, as a smaller replica, presented in the Kunsthal.
Documentary
Lex Reitsma captured him on camera working on these posters in the documentary 'Designing in freedom', which is to be shown at the exhibition from April onwards. This documentary provides us with a rather intimate portrait, in which Bons himself tells us about his mode of operation, his role in the War and the cooperation with his friends Rietveld and Sandberg.
Publication
'Jan Bons - ontwerpen in vrijheid', published by De Buitenkant (ISBN 978 90 76452 19 7) biography written by Paul Hefting and to which the film by Lex Reitsma belongs, only available in Dutch.
About your visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Skip listThe Kunsthal is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs. The Kunsthal Café opens half an hour earlier, so you can visit from 9:30 hrs until half an hour after closing time. Check the current opening hours.
Yes, you need to book a ticket with a start time in advance. This also applies if you have a Museum card, Rotterdam pass, or VriendenLoterij VIP Card. This way, you are guaranteed admission and we can ensure that your visit is as pleasant as possible. Book your start time.
Yes, with an online ticket, you can visit all the exhibitions that are on display on the date of your visit. You can also stay as long as you like. You are welcome at the Kunsthal from your designated start time until closing time. Book your start time.
In de Kunsthal Rotterdam zijn altijd meerdere wisselende en contrastrijke tentoonstellingen tegelijk te zien. Een volledig overzicht van alle actuele tentoonstellingen vind je op de tentoonstellingspagina.