Johanna van Eijbergen

She was the only woman in the Netherlands to venture into the field of metal art around 1900: artist Johanna van Eijbergen (1865-1950). Her designs were produced between 1904 and 1910 by the Hengelo manufacturer G. Dikkers & Co. The vases, bowls and many other objects are characterised by wonderful decorations of stylised flowers and animals, particularly insects, butterflies and fish.

Woman among men 
When thinking of Dutch metal art around 1900, one thinks of artists such as Jan Eisenloeffel (1876-1957), Frans Zwollo sr. (1872-1945), Carel Begeer (1883-1956) and Johannes Cornelis Stoffels (1878-1952). However, one important name is missing: that of Johanna van Eijbergen (1865-1950). Van Eijbergen was a woman who entered a man's world and in a short time built up an impressive oeuvre as a metal artist. She distinguished herself by the way in which she seamlessly combined stylised animal and plant motifs with geometrical forms. 

Particularly talented artist
Although Van Eijbergen was only active as a metal artist for ten years, she managed to fully exploit her talent. Winged insects in particular recur on the vases and bowls in brass, copper and tombak. She also made bread baskets, jugs, lamps, door plates and doorknobs. The designs were in keeping with the prevailing art nouveau style of the time. It is high time to put this exceptional artist in the spotlight and tell what her contribution was to Dutch art around 1900. In this presentation, the Drents Museum gives a surprising overview of Van Eijbergen's work. The exhibition is accompanied by a publication in the Drents Museum Monograph series on artists around 1900.  

Wanted: work by Johanna
Do you possess works by this artist, or know someone who does? Or do you have other information that could be important for our research? We would be very grateful if you could contact Annemiek Rens, curator of Art 1885-1935 at a.rens@drentsmuseum.nl. Many thanks!