New Era, New Art carries you back to a period in the Netherlands, between 1880 and 1940, a hopeful time full of new technology and ideals. The rise and success of new art and architectural styles offered new opportunities for social advance. After centuries of exclusion from professions and (art) organisations Jews were at last able to take their place in society and the art world. The exhibits shown in here shine a light on the Jews who made and commissioned creative work, who actively and consciously chose to integrate and assimilate.

Step into a bygone world of emphatic styles, graceful and dynamic, rigid and geometric. New styles, such as Art Nouveau, Amsterdam School and Art Deco were not confined to expensive art works. They soon found their way into everyday life: from architecture and furniture, to posters and tableware. These designs were meant to make everyone’s life more beautiful. A biscuit tin from HEMA department store, for example, or handkerchiefs from De Bijenkorf, and the packaging for a toaster designed by Fré Cohen.

New Era, New Art presents a range of iconic and inspiring works by famous artists, architects and designers, such as Joseph Mendes da Costa, Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, Fré Cohen and Michel de Klerk. Many of these were made for Jewish patrons, such as Tuschinski, De Bijenkorf, HEMA and some of the most beautiful synagogues in the Netherlands.