Illustrator and writer Ludwig Volbeda in House of the book in The Hague

From 8 March to 24 August 2025, House of the book will present the exhibition ‘Huis van Ludwig Volbeda’ (House of Ludwig Volbeda), which focuses on the work and inner world of Dutch illustrator and writer Ludwig Volbeda. The exhibition offers a glimpse into his overflowing sketchbooks, which serve as a hub for his fascinations and ideas. The exhibition not only honours Volbeda’s work, but also the power of curiosity and imagination.

On display are original drawings where the attentive visitor can recognise the characters, locations and atmosphere of some of the well-known books he illustrated, such as De vogels (The birds) by Ted van Lieshout, Fabeldieren (Mythical creatures) by Floortje Zwigtman and Hele verhalen voor een halve soldaat (Complete stories for a half soldier) by Benny Lindelauf. With hundreds of miniature drawings from his personal archive, Volbeda invites the visitor into his imaginary realm. Through hands-on assignments he also challenges visitors to come up with and draw themselves. As such, ‘Huis van Ludwig Volbeda’ is more than an exhibition. This spring and summer, Ludwig Volbeda will give workshops and guided tours through his sketchbooks, and will also curate the 2025 ‘Illustrators’ Day’ at House of the book.

Ludwig Volbeda, award-winning illustrator and writer

Ludwig Volbeda (1990) became known as an illustrator of children’s books. His work is characterised by a detailed and layered visual language that invites careful viewing and discovery. In his work, he combines major life questions with everyday details. In 2018 and 2021, he received a ‘Golden Brush’ (Gouden Penseel) for the books Fabeldieren and Hele verhalen voor een halve soldaat. In 2024, Volbeda made his debut as a writer with the youth novel Oever, which was named Rainbow book of the year 2024 (Regenboogboek van het jaar 2024) and is currently on the shortlist for the Flemish Boon Youth Literature prize (Vlaamse Jeugdliteratuurprijs).

Series ‘House of …’ in House of the Book

The collaboration with illustrator and writer Ludwig Volbeda is the first in a series of ‘House of …’ in which changing artists in residence are invited to take over a floor of the museum and take visitors into the House of their art.

Myths and Possibilities

Starting from 8 March, the exhibition Myths and Possibilities will also be on view at House of the book, where the museum uses books and visual art to explore humanity’s search for alternative worlds. The world of Ludwig Volbeda is one of the featured worlds in the museum.

The exhibition ‘House of Ludwig Volbeda’ is on view from 8 March to 24 August 2025.

Beeld

- Ludwig Volbeda in zijn atelier, foto: Rodrigo Abraham, Huis van het boek
- Ludwig Volbeda, coverbeeld 'Ik wil naar huis' voor striptijdschrift Aline
- Ludwig Volbeda, omslag Fabeldieren (2018)