Watergraafsmeer in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Fré Cohen
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 17, 2025
1. Fré Cohen Marker
Fré Cohen werd geboren in Amsterdam-Oost. Haar ouders waren diamantbewerkers. Het gezin woonde een aantal jaren op de Zaaiersweg. Van jongs af aan was Fré betrokken bij de socialistische beweging. Zij werd, als grafisch kunstenares, één van de belangrijkste vormgevers van de Amsterdamse School. In haar korte leven ontwierp zij een schat aan affiches, ex librissen, boekomslagen en grafisch drukwerk voor de gemeente Amsterdam. Fré Cohen was een zelfbewuste, geëmancipeerde vrouw, die financieel onafhankelijk was. Dat was bijzonder voor haar tijd. Zij streed voor meer vrouwenrechten met haar ontwerpen voor de vrouwenbeweging. Het opkomend nationaalsocialisme en haar Joodse achtergrond dreven haar steeds meer in het nauw. In 1942 moest zij onderduiken. Fré Cohen hield zeggenschap over haar eigen lot. Nadat zij verraden was, nam ze een gifpil in en koos zo voor haar eigen dood.
Fré Cohen was born in Amsterdam-Oost. Her parents were diamond workers. The family lived on the Zaaiersweg for a number of years. From a young
this page online
Erected 2025 by Stichting Geef Straten Een Gezicht.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights • Women. In addition, it is included in the Give Streets a Face / Geef Straten Een Gezicht series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 14, 1943.
Location. 52° 20.666′ N, 4° 56.714′ E. Marker is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 17, 2025
2. Fré Cohen Marker - wide view
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Edison (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Berthelot (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Marie en Pierre Curie (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Ohm (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Lord Kelvin (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Avogadro (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Max Planck (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Rutherford (approx. 0.9 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amsterdam.
Also see . . .
1. Fré Cohen (Wikipedia).
Frederika Sophia "Fré" Cohen (11 August 1903 – 14 June 1943) was a Dutch artist and graphic designer.(Submitted on March 17, 2025.)
2. Ode aan Fré Cohen (Amsterdam Museum, in Dutch). The QR code on the marker leads to this page, which contains a 37-minute audio podcast (in Dutch) about her life, examples of her work, and a short biography. Excerpt (in translation):
Frederika Sophia (Fré) Cohen (1903-1943) was born in the Blasiusstraat in Oost and was the eldest of three children. She was of Jewish descent, both her parents worked as diamond workers. Fré Cohen became one of the most important designers of the Amsterdam School. She designed graphic printing for the Municipality of Amsterdam, including the famous ‘giroboekje’. But she also designed for the SDAP, trade unions, cooperatives and made ex libris, book covers and advertisements.(Submitted on March 17, 2025.)
From a young age, Fré Cohen was involved in the socialist movement, first with the AJC and later with the SDAP. She was a self-confident, emancipated woman, who was financially independent, unusual for that time.
In 1942 she had to go into hiding in Borne and in 1943, at the age of 39, after being betrayed, she chose her own death. Fré Cohen is buried in Hengelo.
3. Eerbetoon aan Fré Cohen in Betondorp (Oost-Online, March 8, 2025, in Dutch). = Tribute to Fré Cohen in Betondorp. Short article on the marker’s dedication and on Fré Cohen’s life. Excerpt (in translation):
Alderman Marjolein Moorman unveiled the memorial plaque with the chair of the PvdA Overijssel branch. She recalled the importance of Fré Cohen. Saturday 8 March is International Women's Day and if anyone stood her ground, it was Fré Cohen. The alderman recalled a period in which female artists were considered well-meaning amateurs, not professionals. The young Cohen was the only girl at the graphic school…(Submitted on March 17, 2025.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 17, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
