John Van Koert

John "Jack" Van Owen Koert (July 20, 1912 – October 11, 1998) was an American designer and artist best known for his mid-century modern furniture lines for Drexel Furniture and for promoting Danish modern design.

Life

John Van Koert was born on July 3, 1912, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to John Henry Van Kort and Eleanor Owen. In 1916 the family moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The family moved to Shorewood, Wisconsin, in 1923.

He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study art and sculpture and graduated in 1934. He was elected as lieutenant commander of the Gamma Lambda chapter of the Sigma Nu fraternity in 1932. He joined the faculty there in 1936 and taught art until his enlistment in the army.

Van Koert enlisted as a private in the United States Army for World War II on 3 August 1942. Later, as a staff sergeant, he was known to teach art classes at Camp Davis, North Carolina, and somewhat humorously advertised that a model would be present for the class which, to the apparent disappointment of the attendees, turned out to be a soldier in full gear. After being discharged from the US Army, he did not return to the University of Wisconsin.

After the war, Van Koert moved to New York city to practice metalware design and worked for Towle Silversmiths from 1949 to 1954.

Van Koert died a stroke on October 11, 1998 in Sante Fe, New Mexico, with no immediate survivors. He had no siblings or children.

Art

His first exhibit as an artist was as an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin. Three of his artworks, ''Malt House'', ''Barn'', and ''Still Life'', were chosen for hanging display in the Class of '30 Trust Art contest in 1932.

Van Koert joined the faculty at the University in 1935 or 1936. Jack made summer trips in 1936 and 1938 to France and England to survey new art materials and painting styles.

In 1937, his oil work ''Campus Scene'' received a purchase prize at the Wisconsin Painters Show in the Winsconsin Art Institute.
A number of his works were chosen for display at the Fifth Wisconsin Salon of Art in 1938. His new media Gouache works, ''Student at Stairways'', ''Two Students'', ''Bathers'', and ''Restaurant'' were exhibited. Also included were his oil paintings ''Bascom Hall Bubbler'' and ''Corner Store Grocery'', an etching ''Central Park'' and a lithograph ''Rirverside Bridge''.

His work ''The Choosing of the County Seat'' was a mural painted in 1940 above the postmaster’s door at the Neillsville, Wisconsin Post Office. The painting was a part of the Federal Art Project.

Two of Van Kort's work are in the collection of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, ''Concert'' and ''Two Girls in Railroad Coach''.

Silverwork

Examples of Van Koert's flatware designs are in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. An example of silver service set he designed while at Towle Silversmiths is listed in Museum of Fine Arts, Boston collection.

Furniture

Van Koert began his relationship with Drexel Funiture in 1954 with the collaboration resulting in a number of very popular and influential series, in particular the ''Profile'' and ''Projection'' series, there also being some overlap in the esthetics of the two lines.

Drexel's ''Casa del Sol'' (home in the sun) Spanish influenced furniture line was introduced in June, 1957. The collection included nearly 80 pieces for the bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms.

The ''Designer'' furniture line was introduced in 1964 at the International Home Furnishings Market in Chicago, Illinois.

Patents

From 1951 to 1982, John Van Koert filed more than 40 design patens for his work.
# - Design for a Fork or Similar Article - 1951
# - Knife or similar article - 1951
# - Serving Knife Blade or Similar Article - 1952
# - Fork or similar article -1952
# - Fork or the like - 1953
# - Pitcher or the like - 1954
# - Cream pitcher or the like - 1954
# - Condiment dispenser or the like - 1954
# - Sugar bowl ob the like - 1954
# - Candle holder or the like - 1955
# - Dresser or similar article of furniture - 1956
# - Chest or similar article of furniture - 1956
# - Chest or similar article of furniture - 1956
# - Bench or similar article of furniture - 1956
# - Extension table - 1956
# - Drop leaf extension table
# - Side chair
# - Arm chair
# - Desk - 1956
# - Coffee table - 1956
# - Coffee table - 1956
# - Chair - 1956
# - Drawer handle or the like - 1956
# - Table - 1956
# - Bedstead - 1956
# - Headboard for beds - 1956
# - Female mannequin or the like - 1979
# - American beaver sculpture or the like - 1979
# - Billard table or the like - 1979
# - Combined hurricane lamp and centerpiece or the like - 1979
# - Combined candleholder and centerpiece or the like - 1979
# - Mirror frame or the like - 1980
# - Table or the like - 1980
# - Open cabinet or the like - 1980
# - Mirror or the like - 1980
# - Mirror frame or the like - 1980
# - Hanging magazine rack or the like - 1980
# - Cabinet or the like - 1980
# - Jig saw puzzle or the like - 1981
# - Figurine or the like - 1981
# - Bird statuette or the like - 1981
# - Household storage rack or similar article - 1982

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Van Koert, John
1912 births
1998 deaths
University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni
Sigma Nu