Hugo Claus was born in The Hague, in the Netherlands, in 1907. An accomplished painter, he studied under the Russian-born artist Ladislav Sutnar at the Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague. He also studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, Germany. Following World War II, Claus taught art at the Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague
In 1951 he joined his brother Frans in Paris, where he continued to paint and work as a designer for the family's eponymous fashion house. Around this time he also began working on projects with architect André Gürtler. In 1964 Hugo Claus met Dutch designer Gerrit Rietveld, with whom he collaborated on several projects, including the design of his own home, which was one of Rietveld's last buildings before his death in 1966.
Since then, Hugo Claus has collaborated with many artists and designers including architect Raimund Abraham, interior designer Dieter Rams, and clothing designer Walter van Beirendonck. A book entitled Hugo Claus on the Edge of Space is currently being published by Vitra Design Museum Press.
I am a person who is unhappy with things as they stand. We cannot accept the world as it is. Each day we should wake up foaming at the mouth because of the injustice of things.Hugo Claus
In spring they lie flat at the first warmth, they ruin my summer and in autumn they smell of women.Hugo Claus
