Het Parool recently published an extensive article about Jan van der Vaart (1931–2000) – visionary ceramic artist, perfectionist and long-time head of the ceramics department at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie. Starting 25 November 2025, Kunstmuseum Den Haag will present his first posthumous retrospective exhibition entitled “Jan van der Vaart: voor Jan en alleman”.
Van der Vaart left an indelible mark on post-war Dutch ceramics and was more than just a teacher to countless students: he created opportunities, provided critical guidance and instilled precision and dedication to craftsmanship.
His working method influenced several generations of artists who studied at our academy. Alexander Lichtveld (72), who was taught by Van der Vaart between 1974 and 1978, describes it as follows: 'What Jan did was revolutionary: geometric shapes, clean lines, almost industrial and absolutely timeless. It looks very simple, but it certainly isn't. There is a high degree of perfectionism in it."
Wouter Dam (68), who graduated in 1980, remembers Van der Vaart as ‘friendly and a little aloof, but also as an early spotter of artistic potential’. The memories of alumni mentioned in the article often highlight his keen eye for talent and his emphasis on doing and working hard. Van der Vaart has thus ‘moulded generations of ceramists’, according to Edo Dijksterhuis for Het Parool.
A monograph will be published to accompany the retrospective at the Kunstmuseum Den Haag. A tribute to an artist who has permanently changed the landscape of ceramics.
Read the full article in Dutch here
Image: Jan van der Vaart (centre, wearing a dark blouse) with students and fellow teachers in the ceramics department of the Gerrit Rietveld Academie, circa 1989. Source: Van der Vaart family archive