Special edition of herman de vries - publisher

Hartmut Geerken, may bug fly! a paper sinking in the indian ocean, the eschenau summer press publications °48, 2001

Enthusiasts have the chance to get their hands on a drawing by artist herman de vries to accompany the book herman de vries - publisher. The RKD is offering thirteen special editions of the book, including a drawing, for €400 each. 

Artist and publisher

Dutch artist herman de vries (without capitals, born in 1931) moved to the small German village of Eschenau in 1970, where he still works extensively on international exhibitions. In the Netherlands, his work can be seen, among others, at the Kröller-Müller Museum, Museum Kranenburgh and the Rijksmuseum Twenthe. 

As a publisher, de vries is less well known. The book herman de vries - publisher changes this. It is an overview of the eschenau summer press publications: the series of artists' publications that herman de vries has been publishing for fifty years. On the occasion of the book, Kunstmuseum Den Haag opened an exhibition combining artworks by herman de vries with a selection of his publications. It is on display until 16 February 2025.

Martin Hanslmeier, portret van herman de vries, 1992. herman de vries, tutto, the eschenau summer press publications °44, 1999 (detail).
1. Martin Hanslmeier, portrait of herman de vries, 1992
2. herman de vries, tutto, the eschenau summer press publications °44, 1999 (detail)

eschenau summer press

Since 1974, artist publications have been published by eschenau summer press & temporary travelling press publications. herman de vries also invited others to publish, including James Lee Byars, Marinus Boezem and, more recently, Melanie Bonajo. These collaborations with artists resulted in striking experiments in form and content. More than 75 volumes have since been published, all of which are fully displayed and explained in a beautiful book designed by Haller Brun. The book is published by Waanders Uitgevers and the RKD – Netherlands Institute for Art History, which houses herman de vries's personal archive. The texts were written by RKD curators Lynne van Rhijn and Ton Geerts. 

1 Herman de vries, voor en achterkant
3. One of the thirteen signed drawings specially made for the book by herman de vries, 20 x 15 cm, 2024

Special edition

Especially for the book, herman de vries made thirteen drawings in black and grey measuring 20 x 15 cm (the standard size of artists' editions), for which he let his hand be guided as directly as possible by impulse. The special edition consists of a book and one such numbered and signed drawing. Also interested in a real herman de vries on the wall? From 21 November, those who are interested can visit the RKD's webshop. You can only purchase one special edition per person. The sales revenue will benefit a book on herman de vries as a magazine publisher, to be published in early 2026.

herman de vries - publisher

herman de vries - publisher is a publication of Waanders Uitgevers and the RKD. Written in English, 416 pages, bound in a 15 x 21 cm format and costs € 49.95. It can be ordered at the RKD webshop and at  www.waanders.nl.