Sunday Seminar

Lucebert biographer Wim Hazeu spent years researching the life of the passionate multi-talented Lucebert (1924-1994). And made a shocking discovery: in a number of previously unknown letters written during the war years, Lucebert expressed support of National Socialist values. These views, which Lucebert later renounced, throw new light on him both as a man, and as an artist.

The Stedelijk Museum naturally felt uncomfortable on hearing the news. Is the museum right to present a ‘problematic’ artist? And how will the Stedelijk approach the work of Lucebert from this point on? In view of the revelation, the book launch will be linked to a debate. Margriet Schavemaker (Head Education, Interpretation and Publications at the Stedelijk), Emile Schrijver (director of the Jewish Historic Museum) and Marcel Möring (writer) will discuss the implications of the findings, and consider how we should approach the work of Lucebert in future.

Lucebert was a versatile artist who wrote poetry, painted, drew, was a ceramicist and a photographer. The Stedelijk first presented Lucebert’s work during the 1e Internationale tentoonstelling experimentele kunst, later referred to as the CoBrA exhibition. At the time, Lucebert’s contribution consisted of a series of poems. Lucebert’s visual art was also frequently presented at the Stedelijk. A succession of directors and curators acquired his works, due to which, the museum owns a significant Lucebert collection. In addition to 976 works of art, the Stedelijk also has a comprehensive archive. Several of his artworks are currently on view in the collection presentation STEDELIJK BASE, which opened at the end of 2017.