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THE DUTCH COLLECTION OF THE WOLFSONIAN
 The
Wolfsonian—FIU has a large collection of Dutch artifacts dating from
circa 1880 to 1940. The collection covers a range of materials, from
glass to textiles to furniture, and includes the application of rare
decorative techniques such as batik. In addition, there is an extensive
collection of design drawings. The Dutch collection focuses on themes
and subjects such as city life, industrial progress, and a variety of
social issues. In the Netherlands socialism was an important political
factor, and the collection contains artifacts and designs for building
and housing that demonstrate the involvement of governmental institutes
and societies with the daily lives of the lower and middle classes.
Within a social and political context, the collection also explores
Dutch colonialism in Indonesia, Surinam, and South Africa. Progress in
20th century transportation by means of train, aircraft, and ship is
reflected in memorabilia and objects connected to railway, aviation,
and navigation companies. Often these can be linked to former colonies,
and connected to foreign trade. Political items such as posters,
medals, and pamphlets, highlight the Dutch position in both World War I
and World War II, and touch on relations with other countries.
 The
Wolfsonian—FIU library houses an unrivaled collection of Dutch "Nieuwe
Kunst" (Art Nouveau or "new art") bookbindings, and decorative and
ornamental ephemera produced in the Netherlands between the 1890s and
1920s. Much of the Dutch Nieuwe Kunst work represented in the library
collection has been influenced, in part, and distinguished by themes,
motifs, and techniques (such as batik), introduced by the Dutch East
Indies colonies. Many of these items are characterized by geometric
representations of plants and animals, and also demonstrate a holistic
concern for symmetry typical of Oriental art.
Library holdings include several thousand rare book covers, calendars,
proofs, advertisements, and original sketches. There are also excellent
runs of important and beautifully designed periodicals such as De
Architect, De Arbeid, Onze Kunst, In Den Nevel, and Wendingen. Some of
the most noteworthy Dutch artists and designers of the turn of the
century are represented in this collection, including Jan Toroop
(1858-1928), L. W. R. Wenckebach (1860-1937), C. A. Lion-Cachet
(1864-1945), Gerrit Willem Disselhof (1866-1924), Theodoor Nieuwenhius
(1866-1951), and Chris Lebeau (1878-1945).
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