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Cor de Gavere, Artist (1877–1955)
By Nikki Silva
Cornelia "Cor" de Gavere's early life had the aura of a tragic fairy tale. She was born in Java, where her parents
were Dutch missionaries; by the time she was six years old, illness had claimed the lives of her brother and
both parents. An aunt and uncle in north Holland took in the orphaned girl, and sent her sister off to boarding
school.
Childhood was a lonely time for Cor: she was kept for a while in the stern atmosphere of her relatives' home,
separated from her sister, and was then sent to boarding school herself, where close friendships were
discouraged. Her developing interest in art during these years was frowned upon by her uncle. He prevailed
upon her to take a position as an assistant pharmacist, although she continued to draw and paint whenever
possible.
In 1907, at the age of 30, Cor made the decision to study art seriously, and she entered
the Royal Academy of the Hague. During these years she established a lasting friendship
with an elderly woman, Wilhelmina Van Tonnigen, who gave her the motherly
encouragement and support that she had missed since early childhood. She
subsequently worked for several years in a small Dutch artists' colony, and studied in
Paris for three years. During World War I she served as a volunteer nurse in Paris.
After the War, at the age of 43, Cor moved to Seabright with Wilhelmina Von Tonningen,
who had come to be near her brother in Santa Cruz. The two women were warmly
Cor de Gavere
welcomed by the local Dutch community, and Santa Cruz became Cor's paradise. She
worked for many years...at both the Seabright and Garfield Park branch libraries, while
establishing herself as a serious and prolific painter. She was active socially, painted almost daily, and—with
Margaret Rogers—was one of the guiding forces of the Santa Cruz Art League for the 1920s to 1940s. Gentle,
intelligent, proper, Cor maintained a youthful and positive attitude throughout her life.
Cor died in 1955 while visiting relatives in Holland, having enjoyed in her mature years a satisfying life of close
friendships, community involvement, and creative accomplishment.
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Copyright 1984 Nikki Silva. Reproduced with the permission of the author.
Photography courtesy of the Santa Cruz City Natural History Museum. Used with permission.
The content of this article is the responsibility of the individual author. It is the Library's intent to provide accurate local history
information. However, it is not possible for the Library to completely verify the accuracy of individual articles obtained from a
variety of sources. If you believe that factual statements in a local history article are incorrect and can provide documentation,
please contact the Webmaster.
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Santa Cruz History Articles
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AR-135
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Cor de Gavere, Artist (1877-1955)
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Silva, Nikki
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Santa Cruz Public Libraries
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1984
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En
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ARTICLE
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Copyright 1984 Nikki Silva. Reproduced with the permission of the author. Photography courtesy of the Santa Cruz City Natural History Museum. Used with permission.
Subject
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de Gavere, Cornelia "Cor"
Art and Artists
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Santa Cruz (City)
Arts and Entertainment
Biography