Dirk Cornelis "Dick" Elffers (Rotterdam, 9 December 1910 – Amsterdam, 17 June 1990) was a Dutch artist.[1][2][3]
Life
Elffers was trained at the Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten (Rotterdam) as graphic designer.[1] While at Rotterdam, he developed a more expressive and individualistic style, often combining hand-drawn typography, illustration, and vibrant colors. From this, his development turned him into a versatile artist: illustrator, painter, printmaker, book binding designer, sculptor, ceramist and photographer.[4] After Efflers' time at Rotterdam, he became an assistant to Paul Schuitema and Piet Zwart.[5] Besides performer from 1970 to 1976 he was lecturer in monumental art at the AKV St. Joost in 's-Hertogenbosch. Elffers received the State Award for Typography for his typographic work. Elffers' work is included in the collection of the Joods Historisch Museum. Elffers was also involved as a designer at the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, both in the graphic design of the museum and the exhibit design.[citation needed] Notably, he worked on projects like the 1965 exhibition "40 Years of Lace," showcasing his skills in integrating visual and spatial design for cultural institutions. His broader career at the museum is less precisely documented, but his association with this work places him as a key figure in museum design during the mid-20th century.[6]
Dick Elffers was the son of Gerard Elffers (1868–1941) and Petronella Smits (1870–1912). He had ten brothers and sisters. His brother Kees was an architect, his sister Jo interior designer. Dick was married in 1941 with the photographer Emmy Andriesse (1914–1953), and remarried in 1954 Mien Harmsen (1915–2000). He is the father of writer, artist and illustrator Joost Elffers.[citation needed]
