Willem Sandberg

The Experimenta Typographica pamphlets emerged from a period of forced concealment, as Willem Sandberg spent the final years of the Second World War in hiding under the alias Henri Willem van den Bosch. This Dutch designer, curator, and resistance fighter utilized his expertise in print and typography to facilitate the survival of individuals targeted by the Gestapo throughout the conflict.

Formative Years and Design Influences

Born in Amersfoort in 1897, Sandberg received his art education in Amsterdam. His early professional development included an apprenticeship at a print shop in Herrliberg, Switzerland, and engagement with the Mazdaznan movement. In 1927, his exposure to Otto Neurath’s Isotype system at the Gesellschafts- und Wirtschaftsmuseum in Vienna proved significant. Later, a visit to the Dessau Bauhaus introduced him to Naum Gabo, a figure in the field of kinetic art. By 1932, Sandberg held membership in VANK, the Dutch Society for Arts and Crafts.

Resistance Activities and Records Sabotage

During the occupation, Sandberg operated within the Dutch resistance, focusing on the production of forged identity documents. As Nazi authorities countered these efforts by cross-referencing names against the municipal population registry, resistance members sought to destroy the records. On 27 March 1943, Sandberg participated in the planning of the bombing of the Amsterdam Public Records Office. The operation successfully incinerated thousands of files, disrupting the Nazi identification process. Following the arrest and execution of his associates, including Willem Arondeus and Gerrit van der Veen, Sandberg entered hiding.

Directing the Stedelijk Museum

Sandberg established a connection with the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam in 1928, joining the exhibition committee before serving as curator of modern art from 1937 to 1941. Following the war, he assumed the role of museum director, a position he maintained until 1963. He applied his graphic design skills to over 300 museum catalogues, refining exhibition techniques throughout his tenure. Post-retirement, he contributed to the development of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem and the Beaubourg in Paris. The Sandberg Institute, affiliated with the Gerrit Rietveld Academy of Art and Design, continues his legacy.

Professional Honors

In recognition of his contributions to the arts and his humanitarian efforts during the war, Sandberg received numerous accolades. Yad Vashem designated him Righteous Among the Nations in 1968. Additional honors include the Erasmus Prize in 1975, the H.N. Werkman Award in 1957, and the Prijs van de Stichting Kunstenaarsverzet in 1951. His international decorations include being named a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1947, an Officer of the French Order of Academic Palms in 1939, an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1960, and a Knight of the Order of the Polar Star in 1961.

Fast facts

• Born: 1897, Amersfoort, Netherlands
• Died: 1984, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Known for: Experimenta Typographica
• Key Role: Director, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam (1945-1963)
• Humanitarian Award: Righteous Among the Nations (1968)
• Literary/Design Award: Erasmus Prize (1975)
• Membership: Alliance Graphique Internationale

Questions readers ask

What was Sandberg's role in the resistance?

He produced forged documents for those targeted by the Gestapo and assisted in planning the 1943 bombing of the Amsterdam Public Records Office to destroy population files.

Which museums did he influence after retiring?

He served on committees for the Beaubourg in Paris and the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

Achievements

• Erasmus Prize — 1975
• Righteous Among the Nations — 1968
• Museummedal of the City of Amsterdam — 1962
• Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau — 1960
• Worked as graphic designer, type designer and curator