Team
Frans H.J. van der Beek
Founder of Art Amsterdam across the Atlantic
Frans H.J. van der Beek
It was just a dream: an extensive exhibition showing a combination of the 750 most prestigious works of art from the collections of prominent museums in Amsterdam, highlighting the celebration of Amsterdam 750 years. It would draw immense crowds to the capital.
It remained a dream; the idea was not feasible.
But how about a majestic art book containing 250 art icons and connect it to the celebration of 250 years independence in New York?
Yes, this proved to be a wonderful, inspiring and unprecedented initiative.
This flagship publication will be presented in New York, is endorsed by numerous celebrities and will be a must-have for international art-lovers as well as an impressive gift by selected companies.
Frans van der Beek has a versatile and creative mind as concept developer. As a journalist for many magazines, he interviewed various big shots from Donald Trump to Donna Summer and Elton John. Popstars, authors, sports icons, you name it. He wrote 25 books on various subjects. His radio career started at Radio Veronica, and he still presents a weekly show on Amsterdam FM, titled the DNA of the city. He managed a small publishing company, issuing amongst others the art books from his art exhibitions, like Cow in art, Queen Beatrix in art, The Jesus Mystery and his magnum opus 1001 Reasons to love the earth, in which 1001 visual artists from 90 countries expressed their adoration for our planet.
Van der Beek: “It is a great experience to launch an international art event that has never been executed before. A combined collection of the most iconic art treasures from the city of Amsterdam as a unique collectable design object which will enthuse and inspire art lovers and strengthen the artistic bond between Amsterdam and New York.”
Eugène Dumoulin
Book director
Eugène Dumoulin
“Some books begin with a plan. Others begin with a fascination.”
As Book Director of Amsterdam Art Across The Atlantic, Eugène Dumoulin plays a central role in shaping the project from vision to international presentation. He connects art, people and opportunities — bringing together museums, artists, designers, cultural leaders and partners around one ambitious idea.
His particular strength is seeing the story behind the art and turning that story into an experience that resonates beyond the page.
For Eugène, this book is not simply a publication. It is a cultural journey — bringing the artistic spirit of Amsterdam across the Atlantic and giving it a new audience in America.
His guiding belief is simple:
“When you discover an extraordinary story, make sure it gets told.”
Edwin van Gelder
Edwin van Gelder
In shaping the visual identity of Amsterdam Art Across The Atlantic, internationally acclaimed designer and creative director Edwin van Gelder, founder of Mainstudio Amsterdam, brings a singular vision that positions the publication within the tradition of the great cultural and museum publications of our time. Renowned for his intellectually driven and visually sophisticated practice, van Gelder has established an international reputation for creating work that operates at the intersection of art, culture, architecture, and public discourse.
For Amsterdam Art Across The Atlantic, van Gelder has conceived a design language that extends far beyond the conventions of publishing. His approach transforms the book into an immersive cultural experience—one that reflects the richness of Amsterdam’s artistic heritage while embracing its enduring dialogue with New York and the broader transatlantic cultural landscape.
Working in close collaboration with the project’s editorial and curatorial leadership, van Gelder has been instrumental in translating a complex and ambitious vision into a coherent and compelling physical form. Through the orchestration of typography, scale, rhythm, sequencing, materiality, and the nuanced relationship between image and text, he has created a visual narrative that guides the reader through centuries of artistic exchange, innovation, and cultural influence.
Under van Gelder’s direction, Amsterdam Art Across The Atlantic emerges not merely as a publication, but as a collectible cultural object—an enduring statement on the power of art, design, and international cultural dialogue. His contribution situates the project within a lineage of landmark publications that serve simultaneously as scholarly works, design achievements, and historical documents.
In an era increasingly defined by digital experiences, Edwin van Gelder’s design reaffirms the enduring significance of the printed object as a space for reflection, discovery, and cultural memory.
Jean Olf Lammers
Jean Olf Lammers
Jean Olf Lammers is an internationally respected Dutch documentary filmmaker, director, and producer whose distinguished body of work explores the intersection of art, history, and cultural heritage. Celebrated for his cinematic craftsmanship and intellectual depth, his films illuminate the lives of artists and the enduring legacy of their work.
Among his most acclaimed productions is The Last Witness of Vincent van Gogh, a remarkable documentary that offers a rare and intimate connection to Vincent van Gogh through the story of the last living person who had personally known the artist.
Jean Olf Lammers is currently completing the final stages of a major documentary on the celebrated Dutch painter Kees van Dongen, providing new perspectives on one of the most influential figures of twentieth-century modern art. His dedication to preserving artistic heritage through film makes his contribution to Amsterdam Art Across The Atlantic both distinguished and invaluable, perfectly reflecting the project’s international cultural mission.
Marta Elizabete Done
Marta Elizabete Done
Marta Elizabete Done is an arts and culture professional working across research, writing, curation, and cultural communication. After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Culture at Radboud University and her Master’s in Comparative Arts and Media at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, she has contributed to museums, exhibitions, publications, and cultural projects in both Latvia and the Netherlands.
Having grown up surrounded by art, Marta has always been fascinated by the stories hidden beneath the surface. Whether exploring an Old Master, an installation, or a black-and-white photograph, she is drawn to works that challenge perspectives and leave a lasting emotional impression.
“I believe that the power of art lies in its ability to challenge the mind while remaining deeply human and accessible.”
For Art Amsterdam Across the Atlantic, Marta researched, wrote, and edited the texts accompanying the featured artworks from Amsterdam’s museum collections. Her aim was to create narratives that are historically grounded, engaging, and accessible, encouraging readers to look beyond the surface and discover the stories that make each artwork endure.