Carel Steven Adama van Scheltema
Encyclopedia
Carel Steven Adama van Scheltema (Amsterdam
, February 26 1877 — Bergen
, May 6 1924) was a Dutch socialist
poet
.
Son of a wealthy art connoisseur and -dealer, Adama van Scheltema studied medicine for two years before dropping out to pursue his artistic interests. He worked for the Dutch Drama Society and in an art gallery before his father died in 1899, leaving him financially independent. Allowed to concentrate upon literature, Adama van Scheltema started writing poetry and abandoned the naturalist prose which had until then been his main affection. In 1900, he published his first collection of poems, "Een weg van verzen" (A way of verses).
For Adama van Scheltema, socialism and nature were prominent sources of inspiration. He developed his thoughts into his 1907 book, "De grondslagen eener nieuwe poëzie" (The Fundaments of a New Poetry). This book marked a decisive break with the Tachtigers (The 80's Movement), whose mentality of l'art pour l'art had been very influential in the Netherlands. Adama van Scheltema instead asserted that art should have a social function and be available to the masses.
When working on this book, Adama van Scheltema hired Anna Catharina Kleefstra as a secretary. They soon fell in love and were married on the 24th of October 1907. The marriage, while childless, was happy, and the couple moved between different European cities before settling down in the small Dutch town of Bergen, North Holland
. There Adama van Scheltema, a melancholic as well as a nature-lover, was able to find peace of mind.
World War One, however, triggered an emotional crisis, and Adama van Scheltema's poetry took on a darker, religious undertone. This development reached its apogee in the epical poem "De Tors" (The Torso), which was published in its entirety after the author's sudden death in 1924.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, February 26 1877 — Bergen
Bergen, North Holland
Bergen is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Its North Sea beaches make it a popular destination for tourists, especially Germans. In 2001, the municipality was expanded to include the former municipalities of Egmond and Schoorl.Since about 1900, Bergen...
, May 6 1924) was a Dutch socialist
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
.
Son of a wealthy art connoisseur and -dealer, Adama van Scheltema studied medicine for two years before dropping out to pursue his artistic interests. He worked for the Dutch Drama Society and in an art gallery before his father died in 1899, leaving him financially independent. Allowed to concentrate upon literature, Adama van Scheltema started writing poetry and abandoned the naturalist prose which had until then been his main affection. In 1900, he published his first collection of poems, "Een weg van verzen" (A way of verses).
For Adama van Scheltema, socialism and nature were prominent sources of inspiration. He developed his thoughts into his 1907 book, "De grondslagen eener nieuwe poëzie" (The Fundaments of a New Poetry). This book marked a decisive break with the Tachtigers (The 80's Movement), whose mentality of l'art pour l'art had been very influential in the Netherlands. Adama van Scheltema instead asserted that art should have a social function and be available to the masses.
When working on this book, Adama van Scheltema hired Anna Catharina Kleefstra as a secretary. They soon fell in love and were married on the 24th of October 1907. The marriage, while childless, was happy, and the couple moved between different European cities before settling down in the small Dutch town of Bergen, North Holland
Bergen, North Holland
Bergen is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Its North Sea beaches make it a popular destination for tourists, especially Germans. In 2001, the municipality was expanded to include the former municipalities of Egmond and Schoorl.Since about 1900, Bergen...
. There Adama van Scheltema, a melancholic as well as a nature-lover, was able to find peace of mind.
World War One, however, triggered an emotional crisis, and Adama van Scheltema's poetry took on a darker, religious undertone. This development reached its apogee in the epical poem "De Tors" (The Torso), which was published in its entirety after the author's sudden death in 1924.