Willem C. Brouwer | Gouda Museum

Willem Coenraad Brouwer (1877–1933) was a ceramist and sculptor. He began his career in Gouda. In 1898, he learned the craft of pottery on the potter’s wheel at the Goedewaagen earthenware factory. In a small shed next to the factory, Brouwer was given space to experiment with his own work. Three years later, he opened the Vredelust pottery factory in Leiderdorp.

Brouwer became a successful innovator in the Dutch arts and crafts movement. In an era of industrialization and mechanization, he embraced the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement. Craftsmanship and handcrafted work were his top priorities. He kept the prices of his pottery as low as possible, ensuring that his plates, vases, and sculptures were accessible to everyone.