Right time, right place
The 1920s were a particularly exciting time in the history of art, architecture, and urban planning. Cornelis van Eesteren (left) proved to be in the right place at the right time. As a student at the VHBO (pre-university education) in Amsterdam, he won the Prix de Rome, a prestigious architectural award, in 1921. This enabled him to travel to Europe, including a trip to Weimar. There he met Theo van Doesburg (right), 15 years his senior, an established figure in the artistic avant-garde. He introduced the young Van Eesteren to the abstract formal language of De Stijl.
De Stijl
Van Doesburg was one of the founders of the artist group De Stijl, editor of the eponymous magazine, and the group’s most important thinker. Their ambition was to develop an interdisciplinary art form in which painting, sculpture, design, and architecture would reinforce and complement each other. In addition to the Huis van Zessen (House of Zessen), Van Eesteren and Van Doesburg also collaborated on Van Eesteren’s graduation project: a design for a university building (pictured above the men). Both designs were exhibited in Paris at the 1923 De Stijl exhibition, as were three designs for fictional residences known as the ‘Hotel particulier’ (Private Hotel), ‘Maison particulière’ (Particular House), and ‘Maison d’artiste’ (Artist’s House).
Curious?
During a tour of the Huis van Zessen, you’ll experience firsthand where modern architecture first took shape. Step inside the story of Van Eesteren and Van Doesburg and be inspired. Book a tour and experience this unique house for yourself.
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