Ode to Fré CohenMotivation and drive
This text was translated using AI and may contain errors. If you have suggestions or comments, please contact us at info.ode@amsterdammuseum.nl.
Fré Cohen made an important contribution to the development of the labor movement in the first half of the twentieth century. Her motivation and drive to develop within her field showed, that you could achieve something if you came from a working-class family.
In her younger years she was already active in the Arbeiders Jeugd Centrale, where she made illustrations for the association magazine Het Jonge Volk.
Of Struggle and Construction on Education Nature and Mensch of State and Society. Design Fré Cohen
The Institute for Worker Development's Summer Booklet. Design Fré Cohen
In late 1924 the Institute for Worker Development was founded, which continued under the name NIVON in 1960, and she became the designer of the still existing membership magazine De Toorts and made many book covers and posters.
In 2024, Nivon celebrated its 100th anniversary with special attention to Fré Cohen. Yours truly, together with other volunteers, made this celebration possible at Nivon Friends of Nature House De Bosbeek in Bennekom.
Ans
Institute for Workforce Development Design Torch. Design Fré Cohen
Institute for Workforce Development Design Torch. Design Fré Cohen
The Wild Rose No. 2 K. de Boer The Cooperative. Design Fré Cohen
Period
1903– 1943
About
Ode from Ans (a volunteer at Nivon Nature Friendship House de Bosbeek) to Fré Cohen.
Fré was born on August 11, 1903 in Amsterdam, the daughter of a diamond worker. From 1927 to 1929 she trained at the Institute for Arts and Crafts Education in Amsterdam and obtained the final diploma in graphics. She was then employed and freelanced for the Stadsdrukkerij Amsterdam, where she designed printed matter for the services of the municipality of Amsterdam. She also designed bookbindings for various publishers (including Arbeiderspers and
Wereldbibliotheek) book bindings. Koos Vorrink, the great animator of the AJC (Arbeiders Jeugd Centrale), transferred to the newly founded Institute for Workers' Development (IvAO) at the end of 1924. He knew Fré Cohen's work and asked her to design for the IvAO. Thus she took care of the typography of the membership magazine “De Toorts,” which is still the membership magazine of Nivon, the new name for IvAO since 1960. She did this with verve, as well as the many covers for books and posters.
Fré Cohen
Frederika Sophia (Fré) Cohen (Amsterdam, August 11, 1903 - Hengelo, June 12, 1943) was a Dutch graphic artist and draughtswoman of Jewish descent.