Kees de Kort is best known for the Kijkbijbel (Picture Bible), which has been translated into more than eighty languages. It is one of the most widely read children's Bibles in the world. De Kort has also produced a wide range of other works, including illustrations for books and magazines, and paintings of pigs.
With his unique and open-minded approach to Bible stories, which he depicts simply from a child's perspective, de Kort has made a deep impression – and continues to do so. Not only on children with intellectual disabilities, for whom he initially tailored his work, but on many children and adults. The paintings were created after intensive study of Christian art through the centuries. They directly convey the content of the story without being dogmatic.
The paintings and illustrations are often exhibited in museums, such as the Biblical Museum in Amsterdam (2020 and 2007) and the Icon Museum in Kampen (2019). In 2018, he was commissioned by the Vatican in Rome to create ten drawings for the Youth Synod, intended for the meeting on 11 August at the Circo Massimo (“Commissions” for images).
photocredits
1. portrait in the studio NBG/Sandra Haverman; 2. Korneel Min
Kees de Kort's work has been honoured with three major awards, among others.
• In 1995, he received the Spaan Prize for his illustrations in the Kijkbijbel (Picture Bible). This is a biennial award for publicity or artistic contributions to church and spiritual life.
• In 2013, he was awarded the UBS Lifetime Achievement Award by the World Federation of Bible Societies. This was in recognition of his remarkable contribution to Bible illustrations.
• In 2015, he was appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau in recognition of the global impact of his artwork and his valuable contribution to society.
After his death in 2022, his son Hjalmar de Kort is making every effort to carry on his legacy and share the drawings and books in the spirit of his father.
Colleges of Art Amersfoort, Utrecht and Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Bijbels Museum, Amsterdam, 'Christelijke feestdagen'
Ikonenmuseum Kampen, 'Christelijke feestdagen'
Museum Jan Cunen, Oss (NL), 'We Are Food', groupexhibition
Kees de Kort is knighted in the Order of Orange-Nassau.
The ribbon was presented to him at the opening of the exhibition 'David and Goliath'.
Illustrations "David and Goliath" in the Kruiskerk in Amstelveen. On the occasion of 50 years of collaboration with the Dutch Bible Society.
Bergen Art Centre, 'Uitzicht' group exhibition with work by 36 members
'Kees de Kort, a Tribute to 40 years of his work', exhibition Bijbels Museum, Amsterdam
Artist's Center Bergen, The Netherlands
Das Maislabyrinth am NiederRhein, Germany
Katholische Akademie Hamburg, Germany
Artist's Center Bergen, The Netherlands
Kunstcentrum Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Alpha Galerie Nurnberg, Germany, Wanderausstellung, Bilder zum Leben
Gemeentehuis Bergen NH, 'Verrassende beeldverhalen van een vader en twee zonen'
Galerie Dieringhausen, Germany (groupexhibition)
Galerie Meersburg, Germany (solo)
Dominikanerkloster, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam
Lanion Biënnale, France
Pulchri Studio, The Hague (groupexhibition)
Bologna Biennale, Italy
Museum Swaensteyn Voorburg, The Netherlands
Artist's Center Bergen, The Netherlands
Philips-Dufar Amsterdam
Neukirchener Vorlese-Bibel, Kalenderverlag des Erziehungsvereins
ISBN 978-3-920524-57-3
‘Look, the Bible!' DVD en ‘ The Audio Visual Bible' CD-ROM with illustrations taken from the ‘The Picture Book Bible', animated by David Geertsma with music by Wim Soens, published by Lannoo and Takka Takka, Belgium
Meine Bilderbibel Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft
ISBN 3-438-04129-4
Bibelbilderbuch, cassette with five bound books, German Bible Society
ISBN 3-438-04131-6
Neukirchener Erzählbibel
in collaboration with Michiel de Kort and texts by Irmgard Werth
ISBN 3-920-524-51-9
Es begann im Paradies (It Began in Paradise)
in collaboration wit Hjalmar de Kort, German Bible Society
Leeswijzer bij de Kijkbijbel (A Guide to the Big Picture Bible Book)
Dutch Bible Society (NBG) and Belgian Bible Society Brussels
ISBN 90-6126-391-3
De Kijkbijbel (The Big Picture Bible Book)
a hard cover edition with illustrations taken from 28 volumes of bible stories first appearing
as part of the series ‘What the Bible tells us', Netherlands Bible Society
ISBN 90612 63883/ 348 pages / 15th Edition 2005
Neukirchener Kinder Bibel
with text by Irmgard Werth
Kalenderverlag de Erziehungsvereins Neukirchen-Vluyn
Amos, een profeet uit Juda (Amos, a prophet of Judah)
with biblical texts taken from the Good News Bible
Dutch Bible Society (NBG)
Neukircher Kinder-Bibel
Kalenderverlag de Erziehungsvereins Neukirchen-Vluyn
ISBN 3-920-524-52-7 / 14th Edition 2003
weekly serial for the children's page in 'De Bijbel' ( A Bible Magazine)
Geïllustreerde Pers
What The Bible Tells Us, a 28 volume series
- bound, 20 x 20 cm
- small format 13 x 13 cm
- gramophone record and slides
various editions and translations in ninety languages
published by Dutch Bible Society (NBG) Haarlem
Youth Synod, Vatican City (IT), 10 drawings
Jacob and the angel, a triptych for the Symfora in Amersfoort
in collaboration with Hjalmar de Kort
The Creation Story, a series of stained glass windows
for the Pastoral Center Hendrik of Boeijen-Oord, Assen
Five stories from the New Testament,
a series of stained glass windows for the Lazarus Church, Nieder-Ramstädter Heime,
Mühltal, Germany
'Kees de Korts Kijkbijbel is een van die zeldzame blijvertjes',
(Kees de Kort's Picture Bible Book is one of a few that stays with you)
Lodewijk Dros, Trouw January 11, 2007
'Varkens inspireren wereldkunstenaar' (‘Pigs inspire a world class artist')
Ingrid Spelt, Noordhollands Dagblad (North-Holland Daily) January 11, 2007
Best Children's Book of the Year, Leipzig, Germany
Neukirchener Kinderbibel 1, 2, 3 (3rd Prize)
Spaanprijs
Kunstlerische Leistungen Leipzig, Germany 2nd Prize for the Best Schoolbook