Koen Van Os - Part 1

Koen Van Os was born in 1910 and was predominantly inspired creatively by the 1920s. The 1920s and 1930s saw continued development and evolution of the key innovations of the early years of the twentieth century. To have these years as the formative period for an artist was to be surrounded by innovative practitioners of the pictorial arts. It was also a time of recovery and introspection after the horrors of the First World War, which saw significant shifts in the political world. Marxism was a prevalent political ideology which was also extremely influential among artists and their communities. The Bauhaus was founded in 1919, and became an essential place surrounding ideas in favour of the unification of art, craft and design disciplines – an idea that became known as the Gesamtkunstwerk. Surrealism came to be the predominant expressive mode of the 1920s, and was aided by the liberalism of Germany’s Weimar Republic, which was an environment that allowed for remarkable creative growth. noteworthy artistic developments included a kind of expressive mannerism which was exemplified by Brancusi, Modigliani and Soutine in Paris. Surrealism developed throughout the 1920s and 1930s, with a focus on the human unconscious - a central idea of Freudian theory. Important Surrealist artists include Salvador Dali, Giorgio de Chirico, Andre Breton, Rene Magritte and Paul Delvaux. Due to its cultural importance, much of this ideology spread internationally.

This is part 1 of a 2-part series on the works of Koen Van Os:

1925-50 Carl Denig, Buitensport uitrustingen weteringschans 113-115 Amsterdam
(Outdoor sports equipment)
colour lithograph poster 78 x 54 cm

1925-50 Hij of Wij, Ratten gezien? Meld ze!
(Him or us, rats seen? Report them!)
colour lithograph poster 83 x 59 cm

1938 Jubileumtentoonstelling 1898-1938 Uit de schatkamers der oudheid. Amsterdam Stedelijk Museum
 (Anniversary exhibition 1898-1938 From the treasuries of antiquity)
colour lithograph poster 98 x 62 cm

1946-47 Zijlstra koffie, steed vers gebrand
(Zijlstra coffee, always freshly roasted)
colour lithograph poster 81 x 55 cm

1948 maak van weken dagen, verzend uw pakketten per luchtpost
(turn weeks into days, send your packages by airmail)
colour lithograph poster 83.5 x 59 cm

1948-49 Zijlstra kaas, volvette boerenkaas
 (Zijlstra cheese, full-fat farmer's cheese)
colour lithograph poster 80 x 55 cm

1948-49 Zijlstra koffie, vers halen + vers malen
(Zijlstra coffee, get fresh + freshly ground)
colour lithograph poster 84 x 57 cm

1948-49 Zijlstra koffie, vers halen vers malen
(Zijlstra coffee, get fresh grind)
colour lithograph poster 84 x 57 cm

1949 Publi Mondial
magazine cover 31.5 x 24.5 cm

after 1950 Emmabloem collecte, tòch nog elk uur een tuberculose patiënt
(Emma flower collection, still a tuberculosis patient every hour)
colour lithograph poster 34 x 24 cm

after 1950 Ratten? Maak ze onschadelijk
(Rats? Make them harmless)
colour lithograph poster 82 x 58 cm

1950 Amsterdam
colour lithograph poster 99 x 63.5 cm

1950-55 Tokyo, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
colour lithograph poster 101.5 x 64 cm

1950-60 met melk meer mans
(more male with milk)
colour lithograph poster 115 x 82.5 cm

1950-60 spaart ons houtdezit, staats bos beheer
(saves our wood, State forest management)
colour lithograph poster 79 x 56 cm

1950-75 Pijproken... mannenwerk!
(Pipe smoking... man's work!)
colour lithograph poster 116 x 83 cm

1950-75 Rijkspolitie, De weg vrij voor Uw toekomst
(National Police, Clearing the way for your future)
colour lithograph poster 79 x 54 cm

1950-75 Shell X-100 Motor Olie 
(Shell X-100 Motor oil)
colour lithograph poster 86 x 62 cm

1950-75 Stop 'n prachtpositie Rijkspolitie
(Stop, a beautiful position in the National Police)
colour lithograph poster 80 x 55 cm

c1950 Badkuipen, sneeuwwit porcelein - emaille
(Bathtubs, snow white porcelain - enamel)
colour lithograph poster 112 x 81 cm

c1950 Bata Diplomat Perfect
colour lithograph poster 116 x 82.5 cm

c1950 Creations D.W.
colour lithograph poster 156 x 117 cm

c1950 Niemeijers, Erkend de beste!
(Niemeijers, recognised the best!)
colour lithograph poster

c1950 radio ontvangst zonder angst 
 (radio reception without fear)
colour lithograph poster (version 1) 84 x 59 cm

c1950 radio ontvangst zonder angst 
 (radio reception without fear)

colour lithograph poster (version 2) 30 x 36 cm

c1950 Tamines, 90% Rendement
(Tamines, 90% Yield)
colour lithograph poster 80 x 59 cm

c1950 Zijlstra cacao
(Zijlstra cocoa)
colour lithograph poster 79 x 55 cm

c1950 Zijlstra chocolade
(Zijlstra chocolate)
colour lithograph poster 79.5 x 54.5 cm

c1950 Zijlstra soepen, in smakelijke variaties!
 (Zijlstra Soups, in tasty varieties)
colour lithograph poster 78 x 54.5 cm

1951 Amsterdam Fashion Week 21 - 26 May 1951
colour lithograph poster 84.5 x 63 cm

1951 Haast? verzending als luchtpostpakket naar vele landen mogelijk
(Haste, shipping as airmail parcel to many countries possible) version 1
colour lithograph poster 26.5 x 34 cm

1951 Haast? verzending als luchtpostpakket naar vele landen mogelijk
(Haste, shipping as airmail parcel to many countries possible) version 1
colour lithograph poster

1951-52 Bata shoes
colour lithograph poster
size not found

1952 Bata voor sport en spel
(Bata for sports and games)
colour lithograph poster 116 x 83 cm