Dick Elffers

Training under Jacob Jongert, Gerard Kiljan and Piet Zwart is recorded. The recorded working language is Dutch. The field of work recorded is ceramic art and graphic design. Places of work recorded in the authority are Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Works named in the authority record are The Secret Burial. Work by Dick Elffers is recorded in the collections of Museum of Modern Art, Museum Rotterdam, Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and Theater Instituut Nederland. Distinctions recorded are H.N.

• Name — Dick Elffers • Birth Name — Dirk Cornelis Elffers • Born — 9 December 1910 • Birthplace — Rotterdam, the Netherlands • Died — 17 June 1990 • Place of death — Amsterdam, the Netherlands • Education — Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten (Rotterdam) • Field — Painting • Spouse — Emmy Andriesse • Illustration — Totem Pole by Elffers in Gouda.

Elffers was trained at the Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten (Rotterdam) as graphic designer. While at Rotterdam, he developed a more expressive and individualistic style, often combining hand-drawn typography, illustration, and vibrant colors. From this, his development turned him into a versatile artist: illustrator, painter, printmaker, book binding designer, sculptor, ceramist and photographer. After Efflers' time at Rotterdam, he became an assistant to Paul Schuitema and Piet Zwart. Besides performer from 1970 to 1976 he was lecturer in monumental art at the AKV St. Joost in 's-Hertogenbosch. Elffers received the State Award for Typography for his typographic work. Elffers' work is included in the collection of the Joods Historisch Museum. Elffers was also involved as a designer at the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, both in the graphic design of the museum and the exhibit design. Notably, he worked on projects like the 1965 exhibition "40 Years of Lace," showcasing his skills in integrating visual and spatial design for cultural institutions. His broader career at the museum is less precisely documented, but his association with this work places him as a key figure in museum design during the mid-20th century. Elffers' work was included in the 1939 exhibition and sale Onze Kunst van Heden (Our Art of Today) at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Dick Elffers was the son of Gerard Elffers (1868–1941) and Petronella Smits (1870–1912). He had 13 brothers and sisters. His brother Kees was an architect, his sister Jo interior designer. Dick was married in 1941 with the photographer Emmy Andriesse (1914–1953), and remarried in 1954 Mien Harmsen (1915–2000). He is the father of writer, artist and illustrator Joost Elffers.

Dick Elffers is recorded as painter, sculptor, photographer, designer and ceramicist.