Martinus Nijhoff

He studied literature in Amsterdam and law in Utrecht.

He then gradually expanded his reputation by his unique style of poetry: not experimental, like Paul van Ostaijen, yet distinguished by the clarity of his language combined with mystical content.

Some of his best-known works include Het Uur U ('The U Hour', 1936) and the long poem Awater [nl] (1934).

A number of individual sonnets also rose to fame, particularly De Moeder de Vrouw ('The Mother the Woman') commemorating the opening of a bridge over the river Waal near Zaltbommel.

[1] Nijhoff was awarded Constantijn Huygens Prize posthumously in 1953.