The Koppermaandagprent 2023 is based on the handmade autonomous work of the now 82-year-old designer Henk Cornelissen. In the 1960s, he worked for major design studios in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, such as Unimark International and Saul Bass. In addition to his work as a designer, he taught at the St. Joost Art Academy in Breda for over 30 years. After designing the first Christmas stamp for the PTT in 1987, Henk decided to only make free work. Patterns and structures are central to this free work. “Not in self-repeating structures, but in structures in which chance breaks the regular pattern.”

Opera created the design for this Koppermaandag print with the work of Henk Cornelissen.

Since the 15th century, Koppermaandag was a holiday for printers. On the first Monday after Epiphany (6 January), apprentice printers presented a special print to the master printers as a proof of their professional skills. In the 19th century, Koppermaandag prints were sent as gifts to relations. The ritual was lost in the course of the 20th century due to the sending of Christmas and New Year cards.

Graphic Matters, NPN Drukkers and Whynotcooperation are breathing new life into this age-old tradition! This time, however, it is an old master who will inspire the younger generation.

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Henk Cornelissen

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