Willink van Collenprijs is a former Dutch art award, which was awarded for the first time in 1880 by the Sociëteit Arti et Amicitiae. It was intended as an encouragement award for young artists, and was considered as a national counterpart to the Paris Salon. Its existence of more than 71 years proves the success of Amsterdam's art policy. For many of its winners, it was a valuable boost to their careers in the Dutch art world. Some of the prize winners were also recognized abroad and remain well known today.
Committee for art exhibits in 1893, showing from left to right Geo Poggenbeek, Nicolaas Bastert, F. M. Heyl, Hein Kever and George Hendrik Breitner
The Pariser Salon in 1890.
The house of the Sociëteit Arti et Amicitiae at Rokin 3 in Amsterdam. This is where the Willink van Collenprijs was awarded.
Nicolaas van der Waay (1880): Among friends – the first winner.
Arti et Amicitiae is a Dutch artist's society founded in 1839, and located on the Rokin in Amsterdam. The Society has played a key role in the Netherlands art scene and in particular in the Amsterdam art schools. It was and is to this day a hub for artists and art lovers in the city of Amsterdam. It is a private institution which supports artists, maintains social networks and offers a pension fund. In recent times it has been one of the venues for the 17th edition of the Sonic Acts Festival.
The society today
Plan for exhibition space, 1841.
The house of the Sociëteit Arti et Amicitiae with the urban situation at Gracht Ronkin at the end of the 19th century
Four allegories (Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Engraving) on the facade of "Arti et Amicitiae", Rokin, Amsterdam.
