Fiep Westendorp's Original Drawings at the Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam presents 150 original drawings by Dutch illustrator Fiep Westendorp (1916-2004) this summer. The exhibition delights both children and grandparents, showcasing iconic characters from Dutch children's literature such as Jip and Janneke, Pluk van de Petteflet, and Pim and Pom. Early versions of Jip and Janneke appear with elongated limbs, while later drawings like 'Jip wil geen thee drinken' (1980) demonstrate Westendorp's mastery of silhouette and expression. The show traces her stylistic evolution from playful early works to increasingly precise lines. Some drawings tackle social themes through somber tones, but Westendorp's strength lies in her colorful animal-filled universe of quirky characters.