Exhibition Benno Premsela – Max Heymans
The Jewish Historical Museum presents an exhibition dedicated to the life and work of designer and interior architect Benno Premsela (1920-1997) and couturier Max Heymans (1918-1997). Both became figureheads of a generation of artists and designers who put design and fashion in the post-war Netherlands on the map. They also acquired fame by being open about their homosexuality. They met shortly after the war, which both of them survived as one of the few members of their Jewish families. Their personal losses and the life they had to build up again led to a ‘wild rush forward’, as Premsela would later put it.
The exhibition displays a wide overview of their designs and personal documents. There are also unique items, such as Heymans’ silver pin cushion, a miniature prototype of a revolving bookcase by Premsela and sketches from Premsela’s Nieuwe Kunstschool period.
Exhibition ‘Benno Premsela – Max Heymans. Men with guts and style’
Joods Historisch Museum, Amsterdam
Up to and including June 26, 2016
Photo credits: 01. left: Benno Premsela, 1984 © Philip Mechanicus – Maria Austria Instituut | 01. right: Max Heymans, 1978 © Frits Lemaire/Maria Austria Instituut | 02. 1962 © Hans Dukkers/Maria Austria Instituut | 03. Affiche Anton Beeke, 1993. Coll. JHM | 04. Max Heymans, Bruidstoilet, 1970-1995. Coll. JHM | 05. Hommage aan Max Heymans couture door fotografe Venus Veldhoen en styliste Abia Jansen in 1997 | 06. Benno Premsela, Lotek Lite. Coll. Edenspiekermann | 07. Benno Premsela, Rhodinakarpet, 1956. Coll. Edenspiekermann | 08. Lotek etalage. Foto: Erwin Olaf | 09. Homo emancipatie AHN. Foto: Erwin Olaf | 10. Max Heymans met John Koijmans in homodiscotheek Het DOK (De Odeon Kelder), ca. 1962. Coll. John Koijmans | 11. Max Heymans, Autobiografie KNAL, 1966. Coll. JHM | 12. Max Heymans, ontwerp schets, 1986. Coll. Lisa Goudsmit | 13. Max Heymans, modeschetsen, 1944. Coll. Felix Stieger | 14. Benno Premsela, etalage Bijenkorf. Foto: Frits Lemaire, 1957 Collectie stadsarchief Amsterdam