Lucebert Comments

1. Lucebert (Lubertus Jacobus Swaanswijk; 1924 – 1994) was a Dutch artist who first became known as the poet of the COBRA movement. Born in Amsterdam in 1924, he entered the Institute for Arts and Crafts in 1938 and took part in the first exhibition of the COBRA group at the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam in 1949. After half a year of art school, he chose to be homeless between 1938 and 1947.

2. He belonged to the Dutch literary movement of De Vijftigers, which was greatly influenced by the European avant-garde movement COBRA. Lucebert's early work especially shows this influence, and his art in general reflects a rather pessimistic outlook on life. His strong personality appealed to many. As a poet he laid foundation for revolutionary innovation in Dutch poetry.