The collection

The International Art Collection of Evert S. Schneider constitutes a singular and unparalleled body of material dedicated to the historical, cultural, and aesthetic dimensions of tennis. As a comprehensive and interdisciplinary assemblage, it is unique in its scope and ambition, bringing together literary works, visual art, and rare historical objects that collectively chart the development of tennis from its early antecedents in the nineteenth century to its contemporary manifestations. The collection is not conceived as an accumulation of discrete objects, but rather as an integrated corpus whose significance emerges through the relationships and continuities among its constituent parts.

The intellectual and experiential foundation of the collection is closely bound to the life and career of its creator, Evert Schneider (born 4 February 1942 in The Hague). A former Dutch tennis player, Schneider was a prominent and consistent presence in national and international tennis during the 1960s and early 1970s. He was a two-time Dutch national doubles champion, securing the men's doubles titles in 1962 and 1965 with his partner Jan Hajer. On the international stage, Schneider represented the Netherlands in the Davis Cup over a period of seven years, competing in both singles and doubles ties and contributing to the country's presence in elite international competition.

In addition to his Davis Cup career, Schneider participated in major Grand Slam events. He reached the second round of the U.S. National Championships in 1964 and qualified for the U.S. Open on multiple occasions. Domestically, he reached four national singles finals, underscoring his sustained competitiveness and significance within Dutch tennis. These achievements situate Schneider not only as an accomplished athlete, but also as a participant-observer of tennis during a formative period in its modern history.

Spanning the period from the early nineteenth century to the present, the International Art Collection of Evert S. Schneider reflects tennis as more than a sporting practice. The materials assembled document tennis as a social, artistic, and cultural phenomenon, embedded in broader historical narratives concerning leisure, class, physical culture, and modernity. Through books, paintings, prints, and rare artifacts, the collection traces the shifting visual and textual representations of the sport and illuminates the ways in which tennis has both mirrored and shaped social values across time and geography.

Conceived as a unified intellectual and material entity, the collection derives its scholarly significance from its coherence and internal dialogue. Each object contributes to a larger interpretive framework, allowing the collection to function as a historical narrative rather than a mere repository of rarities. In this capacity, the International Art Collection of E.S. Schneider transcends conventional boundaries between sport, art history, and cultural studies, offering a unique and rigorously informed perspective on the enduring cultural resonance of tennis.