Cornelis Jetses

Vocation

Notable

Dutch illustrator of children's books and painter. Jetses was born in a poor family. He was the fourth of six children in the marriage of the labourer and beer brewer Albert Jetses (b. 17 March 1841) and the maid Everdina van Prooijen (6 May 1840). After finishing the elementary school he worked at age thirteen in a stone printing company over day, but took drawing lessons in the evening. His talent for drawing was early recognised. In 1901 Jetses was asked to illustrate the children booklets "Ot en Sien" of the Dutch teacher and philosopher Jan Ligthart (b. 11 Jan. 1859) and the teacher and writer of children's books Hindericus Scheepstra (b. 17 March 1859). The series brings a romantic and idealised view on family life in the province of Drente, where poor people actually lived in primitive huts. The successful "Ot en Sien" trio created a new version of the "Leesplankje van Hoogeveen", a visual learning aid. Many 20th century Dutch school children learned to read their first words "Aap, Noot, Mies" via the schoolplank" illustrated by Jetses. Jetses also illustrated the children's bible of Anne de Vries and "Afke’s Tiental" of Nienke van Hichtum Jetses married on 20 Aug 1899 in Groningen Albertina Hinderika Holkamp (b. 22 Nov 1866, Groningen). They got a daughter Everdina in 1900. He died 9 June 1955 in Wassenaar. Link to Dutch Wikepedia biograhy