author
Jan Rinke
1863–1922
Best known as the illustrator who first gave readers a visual Pietje Bell, this versatile Dutch artist also worked as a painter, printmaker, designer, and teacher. His lively book and poster art helped shape the look of early twentieth-century Dutch popular culture.
1 Audiobook
De Vliegende Kogel
by Jan Rinke
About the author
Born in Schildwolde in 1863, Jan Frederik Rinke built a wide-ranging career in the visual arts. He worked as a painter, etcher, lithographer, illustrator, book-cover designer, drawing teacher, and decorative artist, and later studied at the Rijksacademie in Amsterdam.
Rinke is especially remembered in literary history for his illustrations for children's books, including work connected with Chris van Abkoude and the early Pietje Bell stories. His drawings gave memorable form to one of the best-known rascals in Dutch children's literature.
He also designed posters, advertisements, and other applied art, moving easily between fine art and everyday print culture. Rinke died in The Hague in 1922, leaving behind a body of work that shows both craftsmanship and a playful eye for storytelling.