Sonsbeek ’55: International sculpture exhibition in the Open Air
28 May – 15 September 1955, Park Sonsbeek, Arnhem
Inleiding
In 1955, Park Sonsbeek was once again filled with bronze and stone sculptures, spread across the grass around De Witte Villa. The exhibition was curated by a jury of art experts and members of the Dutch Circle of Sculptors, who selected both established and innovative artists.
As in previous editions, many works by renowned French neoclassical sculptors were on display, complemented by artists from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark working in a similar style. At the same time, Sonsbeek ’55 provided space for innovative movements. Visitors could see works by Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, and Jean Arp, as well as sculptures by the well-known writer Jan Wolkers, who worked in a more expressionistic style. Together, these artists offered an overview of sculpture from the second half of the 19th century up to modern times.
The chairman of Sonsbeek, Jan de Goeijen, emphasized in the catalog that the park’s natural setting was an essential part of the exhibition. According to him, the sculptures amidst the greenery provided “beneficial calm and intense enjoyment” and enhanced the experience of the art.
One of the most striking features was the Rietveld Pavilion, designed by architect Gerrit Rietveld. The pavilion made a strong impression on the public and attracted international attention. Later, it was even reconstructed in the sculpture garden of the Kröller-Müller Museum as a lasting example of this innovative collaboration between architecture and visual art.
Artists
- Henri George Adam
- Hans Aeschbacher
- Constantin Andreaou
- Mari Andriessen
- Kenneth Armitage
- Jean Arp
- Emmanuel Auricoste
- Otto Charles Bänninger
- Ernst Barlach
- Mirko Basaldella
- Joseph Bernard
- Angelo Biancini
- Antoine Bourdelle
- Florentin Brigaud
- Prof. J. Bronner
- Reg Butler
- Alexander Calder
- Fred Carasso
- Corbin
- Paul Cornet
- Robert Couturier
- Wessel Couzijn
- Pearl Couzijn-Perlmuter
- Edgar Degas
- Charles Despiau
- Raymond Duchamp-Villon
- Agenore Fabbri
- Pericle Fazzini
- Lotti van der Gaag
- Pablo Gargallo
- Alberto Giacometti
- Emile Gigliolo
- Marcel Gimond
- Julio González
- John Grosman
- Etienne Hadju
- Pieter D’Hont
- Cor Hund
- Jos Jaekel
- Oscar Jespers
- H. Koreman
- Berto Lardera
- Henri Laurens
- Wilhelm Lehmbruck
- Walter Linck
- Jacques Lipchitz
- Balthazar Lobo
- F. E. McWilliam
- Aristide Maillol
- Edgardo Mannucci
- Etienne Martin
- Raymond Martin
- Berthe Martinie
- Marcello Marscerini
- Umberto Mastroianni
- Jan P. W. Meefout
- Francesco Messina
- Luciano Minguzzi
- Henry Moore
- Th. Von der Nahmer
- Chana Orloff
- Baronesse Charlotte D. van Pallandt
- Gastone Panciera
- Luigi Pavanati
- Karl I. Pelgrom
- Lorenzo Pepe
- Pablo Picasso
- François Pompon
- Henri Puvrez
- Germaine Richier
- Auguste Rodin
- Remo Rossi
- Medardo Rosso
- Albano Seguri
- L. H. Sondaar
- François Stahly
- Emilio Stanzani
- Hans Verhulst
- K. Vierset
- André Volten
- Carel Visser
- Sésostris Vitullo
- Johannes Gustaaf Wertheim
- Han Wezelaar
- Robert Wlérick
- Jan Wolkers
- Fritz Wotruba
- Ossip Zadkine
- Ek van Zanten
- Henk J.M. Zweerus
Location
- Park Sonsbeek
Facts and figures
91 artists · 193 artworks
Publication
— Catalog · Internationale Beeldententoonstelling in de open lucht: Sonsbeek ’55, 1955 · Design: B. Buiskool en K. Heijers · Publisher: Vada-Wageningen
