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Each year, prizes are awarded in various categories for the best illustrated children’s books: the Silver Brushes and the Golden Brush. In the exhibition Brush Awards 2025 – In the Picture, the museum presents sketches, preliminary studies, and original illustrations by the winners in the Gallery.
In 2025, a jury once again reviewed the many visually rich children’s books published the previous year. The jury highlights the power of illustration as a relational art form: a bridge between creator and reader, between the inner world and the outer world. In a complex world, illustrations go to great lengths to take strong positions, touch both heart and mind, and help us navigate uncertain times. The award-winning books found surprising ways to tell both old and new stories. They offer fresh perspectives on our daily lives and challenge us to think and reflect.
Although the styles and subjects of the Brush-winning illustrations vary greatly, they all add an extra dimension to the story and are each visually stunning in their own way.
Featuring works by: Elene Bulay, Amanda Chanfreau, Djenné Fila, Jan Hamstra, Jon Klassen, Victo Ngai, Natascha Stenvert, and Jeska Verstegen.
Illustration: Natascha Stenvert