Frans Tuinstra - Frans Tuinstra - Dish - sgraffito - Modern ceramics 1962

Frans Tuinstra, Neercanne, Netherlands

Ceramics
Mid-century modern ceramic wall plaque, (made in 1962) by Frans Tuinstra.

This unique object is a mid-century modern ceramic wall plaque, designed by the well-known Dutch ceramic artist and visual artist Frans Tuinstra.
Early work: Objects from the early 1960s are highly sought after by collectors.

Tuinstra, who worked for a long time from his studio in Neercanne near Maastricht, is known for his characteristic, abstract formal language. This particular plaque shows a beautifully stylized, primitivist figure against a contrasting, very dark and textured background. The technique combines carefully applied colorful glazes with incised or carved details (graffito-like elements), a style also heavily influenced by the CoBrA movement and the work of Pablo Picasso from that same period.

The back side of the dish confirms the authenticity with a handwritten signature in black glaze.

Frans Tuinstra was the son of Fons Tuinstra (1897-1971), teacher and author, and Maria Thewissen (1898-1970). He studied at the Stadsacademie voor Toegepaste Kunsten in Maastricht as a pupil of Charles Vos. Tuinstra and fellow students Piet Killaars, Rob Stultiens, and Frans Timmermans completed their final exams in 1946. He began working at the ceramic company Russell-Tiglia in Tegelen, where a ceramic department for sculpture was established. In 1956 he left the company and set up as an independent potter. He maintained his own studio in one of the outbuildings of Neercanne Castle, where a bakery had previously been located, until around 1988. He also taught at the School for Free Time in Maastricht.