Zwart (Piet) Views of Manufacturing and Architecture, 1928-circa 1935

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Summary

Title:

Piet Zwart Views of Manufacturing and Architecture

Dates:

1928-circa 1935

Creators:

Zwart, Piet, 1885-1977

Abstract:

Photographs taken by designer Piet Zwart to be used in his typographical work for various manufacturing companies in the Netherlands. Also includes photographic prints of architectural exteriors and interiors, and prints that are more artistic in nature.

Extent:

2.9 linear feet (2 boxes)

Language:

Collection material is in Dutch; Flemish

Preferred citation:

Piet Zwart views of manufacturing and architecture, Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Accession no. 2002.R.47.

http://hdl.handle.net/10020/cifa2002r47

Background

Scope and content:

The collection is comprised of 37 photographic prints most likely taken by Zwart for photograms to be used in his typographical work for advertisements and catalogs. Twenty-five prints are 5x7 and 12 prints are other various sizes. The bulk of the photographs depict manufacturing companies. The Bruynzeel Wood Company makes up the majority of the manufacturers prints. Ten prints of Bruynzeel have associated pieces of tracing paper overlays, possibly used to compose Zwart's typography projects. The photographs are mostly details of machinery and views of the factory. Four prints are of the Nederlandsche Kabelfabriek, a cable factory. Three prints are for the Wanning concrete sewer pipe manufacturing company. The collection contains a graphite drawing by Zwart, possibly a layout for an advertisement for the Bruynzeel wood company. Seven prints are of architectural exteriors and interiors, one building is the interior of the Dutch Pavilion, Antwerp, and the rest of the unidentified buildings. Two prints are more artistic in nature.

Arrangement note

Organized in five series: Series I. Bruynzeel Wood CompanySeries II. Nederlandsche Kabelfabriek Series III. Wanning Concrete Sewer pipe CompanySeries IV. Architectural interiors and exteriorsSeries V. Miscellaneous photographs

Biographical / historical:

Piet Zwart was born in 1885 in Zaandijk, Amsterdam. He was trained as an architect and worked for the architects Jan Wils and H.P. Berlage. While working for Berlage and others Zwart also became adept in the field of interior design. In 1923 Zwart began his typographical career creating advertisements that were published in Tijdschrift voor electrothechniek and Sterkstroom. It was at this time that he produced his most famous work for the Nederlandsche Kabelfabriek, Delft. Zwart also did large projects for the ITF, Internationale tentoonstelling op filmgebied, and the Dutch Postal Telegraph and Telephone Company (PTT), including the design of a postage stamp. In 1930 Zwart was commissioned to design monthly calendar cards for the Bruynzeel Wood Company, which manufactured pencils and doors. Eventually he designed all of Bruynzeel's printed publications, advertising, packaging, offices, exhibitions and various offices of representatives abroad. Zwart's oeuvre is strongly associated with the De Stijl movement.

Acquisition information:

Received in 2002.

Processing information:

Processed by Laura Schroffel

Physical location:

Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the catalog record for this collection. Click here for the access policy.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Advertising layout and typography--Netherlands--20th century
Architecture--Netherlands
De Stijl (Art movement)
Manufacturing industries--Netherlands
Gelatin silver prints--Netherlands--20th century
Photographs, Original

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:: Finding aid prepared by Laura Schroffel.
Date Encoded:: This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2016-05-05T15:54-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:: Open for use by qualified researchers.
Terms of access:: Contact Library Reproductions and Permissions.