author
Jan Rinke
1863–1922
Best known for illustrating the early Pietje Bell books, this versatile Dutch artist worked across painting, printmaking, book design, and teaching. His career moved through several corners of the art world, but his lively illustrations are what many readers still remember.
1 Audiobook
De Vliegende Kogel
by Jan Rinke
About the author
Born in Schildwolde on March 27, 1863, Jan Frederik Rinke was a Dutch artist whose work ranged widely: he painted, etched, made lithographs, illustrated books, designed bindings, and taught drawing. He later studied at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam between 1899 and 1902, adding formal training to an already varied creative life.
Rinke is especially associated with Dutch book illustration. He is often remembered for the energetic images he made for early editions of Pietje Bell, which helped give Chris van Abkoude’s mischievous hero a vivid visual identity for generations of readers.
He died in The Hague on May 20, 1922. Although he worked in many mediums, his legacy is that of a flexible, hardworking artist who could move easily between fine art and the world of books.