Ernst Voorhoeve, art, propaganda, Verdinaso and the NSB

Shortly before his death, Ernst Voorhoeve (1900-1966) spoke with interviewers R.L. Schuursma and SJ. Vellenga. He was a Dutch sculptor and painter. During World War II he was, among other things, propaganda director of the National Socialist Movement (NSB) and the Department of Public Information and the Arts. In this 2.5 hour interview, Voorhoeve speaks about National Socialism and the Confederation of Dietsche Nationaal Solidaristen (Verdinaso).

In the early 1920s, Voorhoeve converted to Catholicism. He initially made paintings, drawings, woodcuts and book illustrations, but developed into a sculptor after his conversion. He made (religious) sculptures and crucifixes in wood and bronze, which have a primitive character.

In 1932 Voorhoeve joined Verdinaso out of interest. After attending a speech given by Joris van Severen in 1934, he became active within the movement as a national organization leader. In 1938 the Dutch branch became independent and came under his leadership, but two years later Verdinaso-Netherlands merged into the National Socialist Movement (NSB) under pressure from the occupying forces. Voorhoeve became propaganda director of the NSB and, in 1942, of the National Socialist Department of Public Information and the Arts (DVK). Although he even fought on the Eastern Front for some time, Voorhoeve was not in favor of annexation by the Germans. He lost their approval and had to resign as propaganda leader of the NSB and the DPRK in 1943.

The Special Court in Arnhem sentenced Voorhoeve to 11 years in prison in March 1949.

For more information about the interview and the interviewee, see: SFW work issue no. 8 (1995), p.49.