On 15 November, Cometa* – Stichting voor kunstboekpublicaties – will publish Jan van der Vaart. Master potter, the first major monograph on the most important post-war Dutch ceramicist since 1991. The release marks 25 years since Van der Vaart's passing and coincides with the opening of a major retrospective at Kunstmuseum Den Haag.
© Erik and Petra Hesmerg
Cast and assembled orthogonal vase and two staggered vases, 1968, tallest 28.5 cm. Photography by Erik and Petra Hesmerg.
Recognised early in his career as "the most important Dutch ceramicist of his generation," Jan van der Vaart (1931–2000) built a career defined by technical mastery and a grounded approach. As he once remarked: "Making pots is donkey work, not a genteel undertaking in which your hands are guided by God." He consistently described himself simply as "Potter," later saying in an interview: "I'm that little guy who makes flower vases."
Van der Vaart developed a distinctive visual language of geometric forms and lustrous glazes, producing thousands of vases, tulip towers and candlesticks. To reach a broader public, he pioneered the production of multiples, a decision that divided peers and collectors but ensured accessibility. Alongside his practice, he taught at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, training over 100 ceramicists.
The richly illustrated 256-page monograph offers a multi-faceted perspective on his life and work. Jan de Bruijn, curator of modern applied arts and design at Kunstmuseum Den Haag, highlights Van der Vaart's down-to-earth ethos. Art critic Garth Clark recalls their professional and personal relationship, while journalist Edo Dijksterhuis examines his embrace of multiples. Former NRC editor Arjen Ribbens contributes a biography and insights into his teaching. Petra and Erik Hesmerg present new photography of Van der Vaart's ceramics, captured in studio settings and collectors' homes.
The book is available in English and Dutch editions (ISBN ENG: 978-90-835621-1-7 / NL: 978-90-835621-0-0), priced at €49.95, and can be ordered via stichtingcometa.nl or through bookshops.
The publication coincides with Jan van der Vaart: For Jan and All, a retrospective at Kunstmuseum Den Haag running from 15 November 2025 to 5 July 2026. At the same time, the Princessehof Ceramics Museum in Leeuwarden will present a digital exhibition, with Van der Vaart's original studio now part of its permanent displays.
This is the first publication by Cometa*, a foundation dedicated to producing art and design books by Dutch makers.
More information:
Cometa
[email protected]
www.stichtingcometa.nl
