Anton Pieck

Anton Pieck
Anton Pieck in 1980
Born	Anton Franciscus Pieck 19 April 1895 Den Helder, Netherlands
Died	24 November 1987 (aged 92) Overveen, Netherlands
Nationality	Dutch
Known for	Painting, Illustration art

Anton Franciscus Pieck (19 April 1895 – 24 November 1987) was a Dutch painter, artist and graphic artist. His works are noted for their nostalgic or fairy tale-like character and are widely popular, appearing regularly on cards and calendars.

Personal

Anton Franciscus Pieck was born on 19 April 1895 in Den Helder in the Netherlands. He was the son of Henri Christiaan Pieck and Petronella Neijfs, and twin brother of the painter and illustrator Henri Christiaan Pieck.

Pieck married Jo van Poelvoorde (died 1983) in 1922. The couple had three children, Elsa, Anneke and Max (died 1986).

Part of the former Autotron museum in Drunen (later located in Rosmalen), with the typical Anton Pieck colors

Teaching

• 1912-1920 Drawing teacher at the Bik en Vaandrager institute in The Hague
• 1920-1960 Drawing teacher at the Kennemer Lyceum in Overveen

Efteling

From 1952 to 1974, Pieck was responsible for designing almost everything for fairy tale park Efteling in Kaatsheuvel, now one of the major theme parks in Europe. His work for the Efteling has been of huge importance for the future of the park, since almost all later designers used his graphic characteristics in their designs (such as materials, colors and shapes).

Anton Pieck Museum

In 1984 the Anton Pieck Museum was opened at the Achterstraat in Hattem. The museum is called "Huis voor Anton Pieck" ("House for Anton Pieck").

Trivia

• In the comic Spike and Suzy, the characters visit De Efteling three times, in De Efteling-elfjes, in Fata Morgana and in De belhamel-bende. In this last comic, Pieck has a cameo role when Ambrose is called by someone who knows where Aunt Sidonia is.
• Drs. P. wrote a song, Winterdorp, as a hommage to Pieck's cosy drawing style.
• In a 2004 poll regarding De Grootste Nederlander (The Greatest Dutchman), the general public placed Pieck in 81st place.
• Pieck illustrated the Dutch version of the book The Wonderful Adventures of Nils.
• In Kaatsheuvel a LOM school has been named after Anton Pieck.
• In 1972 he designed the classic car museum "Autotron" in Drunen. After the museum collection relocated to Rosmalen, the building has been used as a cultural centre housing a broad range of activities, including theatre, restaurants, music school, and club house for the elderly. The building's name was changed to "De Voorste Venne".

External links

• The Anton Pieck Museum in Hattem