15 MASTERPIECES: ANIMATION ROYALTY
Hand-drawn masterpieces from a century of animation in Gallery AnimationNation, Schiedam

AnimationNation proudly presents 15 Masterpieces: Animation Royalty. Opening 13 September 2025, the show invites viewers to discover some of the most enduring characters and stories in visual culture.

The exhibition features highlights from the renowned AnimationNation collection, including production cels, storyboards, model sheets, and sketches from the artists of studios such as Disney, Hanna-Barbera, Fleischer, and Spümcø. From an early twentieth-century American storyboard to an avant-garde Dutch short, and from iconic television series to a rare Ukrainian film, each work stands as a testament to the artistry and imagination that shaped animation’s global legacy.

For Dutch audiences, 15 Masterpieces: Animation Royalty offers a rare opportunity to encounter the original artwork behind animated legends. The exhibition celebrates the often-overlooked craftsmanship of one of the defining art forms of the twentieth century.

“Original animation cels, rare storyboards, and model sheets: 15 Masterpieces: Animation Royalty invites audiences to see the art behind some of the most iconic animated cartoons.”

SpongeBob SquarePants
Nickelodeon’s flagship series became a global cultural phenomenon and the longest-running American animated children’s show.
Production cel from Season 1 featuring SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star.
United Plankton Pictures, Inc.
Gouache on acetate over printed background. 1999.

The Ren & Stimpy Show: “Space Dogged”
This cult series revolutionised TV cartoons in the 1990s with its surreal humour and boundary-pushing animation style.
Production drawings from the Russian space spoof sequence, scene 7, Season 5.
Spümcø / Nickelodeon
Pencil on animation paper. 1996.

Striped Baby Elephant (Про полосатого слонёнка)
Kievnauchfilm was one of the most influential Soviet studios during the Cold War, shaping the look of Eastern European animation.
Key master set-up from the children’s film about friendship, directed by Irina Gurvich.
Kievnauchfilm, USSR (Ukraine)
Gouache on acetate over hand-painted background. 1971.

Fender Bender 500
Hanna-Barbera defined television animation for decades worldwide, while also leaving a mark on cinema with Tom & Jerry.
Cel featuring Top Cat and other famous Hanna-Barbera characters, signed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.
Hanna-Barbera Productions
Gouache on acetate. 1990.

Pas à Deux
This experimental short by Renault and Van Dijk won the Berlinale Golden Bear for Best Short Film, proof of animation’s place in the wider art world.
Animation and direction by Monique Renault and Gerrit van Dijk. Master key set-up from the award-winning short, inscribed “For Cathy with love, Gerrit 1983.”
Renault & Van Dijk
Gouache on acetate over partially hand-painted paper background. 1983.

The Black Cauldron
Disney’s darkest and most controversial feature of the 1980s marked the studio’s first attempt at an adult-themed animated fantasy.
Animation drawing of Mickey Mouse as a zombie, drawn as a spoof by Gary Trousdale (director of Beauty and the Beast and The Hunchback of Notre Dame) during work on The Black Cauldron.
Walt Disney Productions
Pencil and pen on animation paper. 1985.

The Adventures of Tintin: Destination Moon
Belvision pioneered European television animation, bringing Hergé’s iconic comic characters to the screen for the first time.
Original cel of Thomson and Thompson before a spaceport sign, cut and hand-painted over a custom background in the style of Courvoisier cels. Likely from the Larry Harmon collection.
Belvision / Larry Harmon Productions
Gouache on acetate over watercolour background. 1960.

The Flintstones: “The Hypnotist”
As the first animated series in American prime time, The Flintstones proved that cartoons could compete with live-action sitcoms.
Storyboard drawings of Fred and Barney from Season 1, Episode 20 (cut scene), probably drawn by Warren Foster.
Hanna-Barbera Productions
Pencil on animation paper, storyboard. 1961.

Popeye
Popeye became so popular in the 1930s that he single-handedly boosted spinach consumption in the United States.
Original drawings of main characters (excluding Popeye), mounted on paper. Likely by Bud Sagendorf.
King Features Syndicate
Pencil and coloured ink on paper. ca. 1940s–50s.

Sesame Street: Keith Haring, Counting 1–10
Keith Haring’s collaboration with Sesame Street fused pop art and children’s television in a unique cultural crossover.
Production cel from the Keith Haring-designed counting series for Sesame Street, featuring six dogs.
Keith Haring Foundation / Artbear Pigmation
Gouache on acetate. 1991.

The Aristocats
This was the last animated feature personally approved by Walt Disney, giving it a special place in the studio’s history.
Cel of Thomas O’Malley, the male protagonist of Disney’s animated feature.
Walt Disney Productions
Gouache on acetate, large format. 1970.

Gulliver’s Travels
As only the second American animated feature after Snow White, it proved that Disney was not alone in shaping feature-length animation.
Storyboard drawing featuring the spies from Fleischer’s classic animated feature.
Fleischer Studios
Coloured pencil on animation paper. 1939.

The Simpsons: “Treehouse of Horror XVII”
The Simpsons redefined television comedy and became the longest-running scripted prime-time series in history.
Production drawing of Homer Simpson transforming into a blob after eating extraterrestrial slime.
20th Century Fox Television / Matt Groening / David Silverman
Blue pencil on animation paper. 2006.

Daffy Duck
Voiced by Mel Blanc, the “Man of a Thousand Voices,” Daffy remains one of animation’s most enduring comic creations.
Production drawing signed by Mel Blanc, referencing the 1930s catchphrase “Wanna buy a duck?” Drawing dates from 1948–55.
Warner Bros.
Coloured pencil on animation paper. Signed before 1989.

Rock-a-Doodle
Don Bluth’s independent productions challenged Disney’s dominance, keeping feature animation alive in the 1980s and 1990s.
Character model sheet of Patou the dog.
Sullivan Bluth Studios / Goldcrest Films
Gouache on acetate. 1991.

Slap Happy Lion
Tex Avery revolutionised cartoon comedy with his breakneck timing, visual gags, and meta-humour that influenced live-action film as well.
Production drawing of the lion character from the short directed by legendary animator Tex Avery.
MGM Cartoons
Coloured pencil on animation paper. 1947.

 

 

Bad Boys

Welcome to Bad Boys – where heroes shout and swear, and no one ever goes to therapy. 

This exhibition introduces you to 14 animated alpha males who have absolutely no control over their emotions. 

From loud-mouthed macho types to overinflated maniacs: 

this is a hall of fame for the overcompensating and the emotionally vacant, trapped in the art of animation. 

Built like a hero, acts like a mess. Step right in – but don’t expect anyone to say sorry.

 

Foute Mannen

Welkom bij Foute Mannen – waar helden schreeuwen en schelden, en niemand ooit in therapie gaat.

In deze tentoonstelling ontmoet je 14 getekende alfamannetjes die hun emoties nooit onder controle hebben. 

Van brallende macho’s tot opgepompte gekken: dit is de eregalerij van overcompensatie en emotionele leegte, gevangen in animatiekunst. 

Gebouwd als een held, gedraagt zich als een aso. Kom maar binnen – maar verwacht niet dat iemand sorry zegt.

Animation Nation is the only gallery in the Netherlands to exclusively exhibits concepts, drawings and 'cels' from animated cartoons.

These are original works of art, hand-drawn by artists from famous animation studios and used during the production process of creating animated cartoons from the 1930s to the 2000s.

FROM AUGUST 2024

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MASTERSTROKE: THE ART OF ANIMATED EMOTIONS

Animation possesses a unique ability to convey profound emotions. The mastery required to express feelings through just a few pencil lines is undeniable, paralleling the skills of historical fine artists. Notably, artists such as Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso deeply appreciated the art of animation.

The exhibition delves into the concept of "the line" as described by legendary animator Chuck Jones (Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Roadrunner). Jones asserted that true mastery in drawing lies in the ability to capture complex ideas and emotions with just a few strokes—blending technical artistry with emotional depth. For Jones, true masters of "the line" could draw what they envisioned without hesitation and without error.

In animation, emotion is a key storytelling device, particularly in Japanese animated cartoons, known as anime. Anime is renowned for pushing the boundaries of emotional expression through highly stylized and exaggerated visual techniques. Emotions like anger, joy, sadness, and surprise are drawn to perfection. Anime also uses "super-deformation" or "chibi" style, where characters are drawn with exaggerated, childlike proportions—oversized heads, impressive hairstyles, huge eyes, and minimal noses—to convey strong emotions like embarrassment, frustration, or joy.

All cels and drawings are sold without frames or passe-partouts.

All prices include VAT.

Certificates available upon request.

From the entrance door:

• Mashin Hero Wataru: A 9-year-old boy named Wataru Ikusabe is magically transported to the magical realm of Soukaizan, which he is destined to save from an evil, demonic ruler. The main character is depicted in an extreme close-up. Produced by Sunrise Studio for Nippon TV, Japan, directed by Shuji Iuchi. Gouache on acetate, 1988. €125

• The Simpsons: Medium shot of Grandpa asking, "Who are you?" from the episode "Million Dollar Abie." Produced by Film Roman/Fox/Matt Groening. Pencil on paper, 2006. €125

• Hajime no Ippo (also known as Fighting Spirit): Based on the manga by George Morikawa, this series follows high school student and boxer Ippo Makunouchi. The artwork shows an extreme close-up of Ippo. Produced by Madhouse for Nippon TV, Japan. Gouache on acetate, 2000-2003. €150

• The Hulk from The Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.: Produced by Dongwoo Animation/Marvel. Colored pencil on animation paper, 2013-2015. €50

• Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog: Featuring the character MacHopper the kangaroo from episode 131 (shot at 7’29”), designed by Milton Knight and voiced by Scott McNeil. Produced by DIC and Sega. Gouache on acetate and colored pencil on animation paper, 1993. €100

• Hajime no Ippo (はじめの一歩, lit. "The First Step") also known as Fighting Spirit: Based on the manga by George Morikawa, featuring an excited Ippo Makunouchi. Produced by Madhouse for Nippon TV, Japan. Gouache on acetate, 2000-2003. €500

• Quack Pack: Drawing of Donald Duck, signed by animator Romy Garcia, whose name is also written on the back with a marker. Produced by Disney. Pencil on animation paper with markings, 1996. €150

• Dragon Knight Gaiden: Based on the game, featuring cel A5 of a character hanging upside down. This is a hentai anime directed by Jun Fukuda (Studio Taki Corp.) for Studio Wombat. Gouache on acetate, 1991. €375

• JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Based on the manga by Hirohiko Araki, featuring the main character Jean-Pierre Polnareff from episode 3 (episode 10 in U.S. versions). Directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo, produced by Studio A.P.P.P. Colored pencil on animation paper, 1993. €350

• Rupert Bear and his father, Mr. Bear: Rupert is an animated television series based on the character Rupert Bear by Mary Tourtel. The series aired from 1991 to 1997. Produced by Nelvana Limited/Ellipse Programme. Gouache on acetate on a hand-painted non-matching background from the same series, 1991-1997. €145

• The Simpsons: Small shot of Grandpa looking sad and lost, from the episode "Million Dollar Abie." Produced by Film Roman/Fox/Matt Groening. Pencil on paper, 2006. €60

• “Raid Kills Bugs Dead” Commercial: Three cockroaches in trouble, from a commercial originally designed by Tex Avery. Bugs designed by Don Pegler. RAID!, from the 1980s. €125

• Marmaduke: Character model sheets of the dog Alfie in different poses from the episode “Doggone Funny.” Produced by Ruby-Spears Enterprises. Gouache on acetate, 1981. €75

• I'm Gonna Be An Angel! (Tenshi ni Narumon!): Main character Noelle hangs around the neck of a friend while others appear concerned. Complete with dougas, produced by Pierrot. Gouache on acetate and colored pencil on animation paper, 1999. €110

• Kero Kero Keroppi: A popular Japanese character from the 1990s, based on a game. “Kero kero” is the sound a frog makes. Keroppi and a friend eat ice cream. Directed by Kanji Akahori, produced by Sanrio. Gouache on acetate and pencil on paper, 1994. €75

NEDERLANDS

MEESTERWERK: DE KUNST VAN EMOTIES IN TEKENFILMS

Animatie heeft een unieke kracht om diepe emoties over te brengen. De vaardigheid om gevoelens uit te drukken met slechts enkele potloodlijnen is onmiskenbaar en doet niet onder voor die van historische beeldende kunstenaars. Opvallend is dat kunstenaars zoals Salvador Dalí en Pablo Picasso de kunst van animatie zeer waardeerden.

De tentoonstelling verkent het concept van "de lijn," zoals beschreven door de legendarische animator Chuck Jones. Jones stelde dat ware meesterschap in tekenen ligt in het vermogen om complexe ideeën en emoties vast te leggen met slechts een paar streken—een samensmelting van technische vaardigheid en emotionele diepgang. Voor Jones konden ware meesters van "de lijn" tekenen wat ze in hun hoofd hadden, zonder aarzeling en zonder fouten.

In animatie is emotie een essentieel vertelmiddel, met name in Japanse tekenfilms, bekend als anime. Anime staat bekend om het verleggen van de grenzen van emotionele expressie door middel van sterk gestileerde en overdreven visuele technieken. Emoties zoals woede, vreugde, verdriet en verrassing worden tot in de perfectie weergegeven. Bovendien maakt anime gebruik van "super-deformatie" of "chibi"-stijl, waarbij personages worden getekend met overdreven, kinderlijke proporties—oversized hoofden, indrukwekkende kapsels, enorme ogen en minimale neuzen—om sterke emoties zoals schaamte, frustratie of vreugde uit te drukken.

Alle cels en tekeningen worden verkocht zonder lijst of passe-partout.

Alle prijzen zijn inclusief btw.

Certificaten op aanvraag beschikbaar.

Vanaf de entree:

• Mashin Hero Wataru: Een 9-jarige jongen genaamd Wataru Ikusabe wordt magisch getransporteerd naar het magische rijk Soukaizan, dat hij moet redden van een kwaadaardige, demonische heerser. De hoofdpersoon wordt afgebeeld in een extreme close-up. Geproduceerd door Sunrise Studio voor Nippon TV, Japan, geregisseerd door Shuji Iuchi. Gouache op acetaat, 1988. €125

• The Simpsons: Medium shot van opa die vraagt: "Wie ben jij?" uit de aflevering "Million Dollar Abie." Geproduceerd door Film Roman/Fox/Matt Groening. Potlood op papier, 2006. €125

• Hajime no Ippo (ook bekend als Fighting Spirit): Gebaseerd op de manga van George Morikawa, volgt deze serie de middelbare scholier en bokser Ippo Makunouchi. Het kunstwerk toont een extreme close-up van Ippo. Geproduceerd door Madhouse voor Nippon TV, Japan. Gouache op acetaat, 2000-2003. €150

• The Hulk uit The Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.: Geproduceerd door Dongwoo Animation/Marvel. Kleurpotlood op animatiepapier, 2013-2015. €50

• Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog: Met het personage MacHopper de kangoeroe uit aflevering 131 (shot op 7’29”), ontworpen door Milton Knight en ingesproken door Scott McNeil. Geproduceerd door DIC en Sega. Gouache op acetaat en kleurpotlood op animatiepapier, 1993. €100

• Hajime no Ippo (はじめの一歩, letterlijk "De Eerste Stap"), ook bekend als Fighting Spirit: Gebaseerd op de manga van George Morikawa, met een enthousiaste Ippo Makunouchi. Geproduceerd door Madhouse voor Nippon TV, Japan. Gouache op acetaat, 2000-2003. €500

• Quack Pack: Tekening van Donald Duck, gesigneerd door animator Romy Garcia, wiens naam ook met een marker op de achterkant is geschreven. Geproduceerd door Disney. Potlood op animatiepapier met markeringen, 1996. €150

• Dragon Knight Gaiden: Gebaseerd op het spel, met cel A5 van een personage dat ondersteboven hangt. Dit is een hentai-anime geregisseerd door Jun Fukuda (Studio Taki Corp.) voor Studio Wombat. Gouache op acetaat, 1991. €375

• JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Gebaseerd op de manga van Hirohiko Araki, met de hoofdpersoon Jean-Pierre Polnareff uit aflevering 3 (aflevering 10 in de VS-versies). Geregisseerd door Hiroyuki Kitakubo, geproduceerd door Studio A.P.P.P. Kleurpotlood op animatiepapier, 1993. €350

• Rupert Bear en zijn vader, Mr. Bear: Rupert is een animatieserie gebaseerd op het personage Rupert Bear van Mary Tourtel. De serie werd uitgezonden van 1991 tot 1997. Geproduceerd door Nelvana Limited/Ellipse Programme. Gouache op acetaat op een handgeschilderde niet-overeenkomende achtergrond uit dezelfde serie, 1991-1997. €145

• The Simpsons: Kleine shot van opa die verdrietig en verloren kijkt, uit de aflevering "Million Dollar Abie." Geproduceerd door Film Roman/Fox/Matt Groening. Potlood op papier, 2006. €60

• “Raid Kills Bugs Dead” Commercial: Drie kakkerlakken in de problemen, uit een commercial oorspronkelijk ontworpen door Tex Avery. Bugs ontworpen door Don Pegler. RAID!, uit de jaren 1980. €125

• Marmaduke: Karaktermodelbladen van de hond Alfie in verschillende houdingen uit de aflevering “Doggone Funny.” Geproduceerd door Ruby-Spears Enterprises. Gouache op acetaat, 1981. €75

• I'm Gonna Be An Angel! (Tenshi ni Narumon!): Hoofdpersoon Noelle hangt rond de nek van een vriend terwijl de anderen duidelijk bezorgd zijn. Compleet met douga's, geproduceerd door Pierrot. Gouache op acetaat en kleurpotlood op animatiepapier, 1999. €110

• Kero Kero Keroppi: Een populair Japans personage uit de jaren 1990, gebaseerd op een spel. "Kero kero" is het geluid dat een kikker maakt. Keroppi en een vriend eten ijs. Geregisseerd door Kanji Akahori, geproduceerd door Sanrio. Gouache op acetaat en potlood op papier, 1994. €75

•  

GUESS

THE

ANIMAL

 

EXHIBITION ANIMATION NATION, SCHIEDAM, SUMMER 2024

The Tom and Jerry Show: Pencil sketch on paper by Len Simon (unsigned) of Spike and Jerry, pencil on paper, 2014.

Rocko's Modern Life: The surreal life of an anthropomorphic Australian-immigrant wallaby named Rocko and his friends. Great cel with Rocko and Bighead, gouache on acetate, 1993.

Watership Down: Hazel, also known as Hazel-rah by the Watership Down rabbits, is a brave and intelligent buck, the main protagonist. Watership Down is an adventure novel by English author Richard Adams, published by Rex Collings Ltd of London in 1972. Set in Hampshire in southern England, the story features a small group of rabbits. Gouache on acetate, 1978.

Mickey Mouse steps up: Small drawing marked no. 158 in the sequence (probably pencil tests for MM sequence as Sorcerer's Apprentice) signed by famed animator David Block, from World of Color, a night-time show at Disney California Adventure, part of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Pencil on animation paper, 2010.

Catdog: American animated television series created for Nickelodeon by Peter Hannan. Great cel of a Cat and Dog joined at the hip while on holiday, gouache on acetate, 1998.

Spongebob Squarepants: Storyboard with four small drawings of an animated sequence, pencil on pre-printed storyboard paper, 2000s.

My Little Pony: Teddy (with the mohawk) and Sweetheart (with long hair) are not happy in this scene. Gouache on acetate, 1984-87.

Dink the Little Dinosaur: Rare key master set-up, featuring Tyrannor and Ariel the Parasaurolophus, also known as White Beauty, who saves one of Dink’s friends, on an original hand-painted background by Dennis Durrell or Don Moore, based on a design by Dennis Greco. The cel is from episode 2 (really no. 4, as there were 2 stories per episode). Gouache on acetate, gouache on animation carton, 1989.

Ren & Stimpy: Hermit Ren, episode 314, close-up of Ren in an upset state, directed by Chris Reccardi, gouache on acetate, 1994.

Fraidy Cat: From Unlucky Fraidy, a never produced episode 16. The drawings are dated September 9, 1975, very rare. Part of ABC's Uncle Croc’s Block, made by Filmation, done by famous UK (later USA) animator Bill Pratt (1926-2001), signed on folder assisted by Frank Carr. Gina Groceer did the ink and paint and the director was Don Towsley (signed Don, came from Disney 1912-1986, worked on Fantasia, Pinocchio). Alan Oppenheimer did Fraidy’s voice. Fraidy Cat is an unlucky, stuttering, miserable cat who, like all cats, has nine lives but has used up eight of them and is on his ninth and last life, where he wants to make it last the longest. Gouache on acetate, pencil on animation paper, 1974/75.

Cow and Chicken: From episode 6, Boneless Kite with Red as Baron von Nein Lederhosen with chicken on a kite string, gouache on acetate, 1998.

Marsupilami: From the opening title animation of Raw Toonage, a combi series with different characters, signed by lead animator David Block (Gummi Bears, Ducktales, Big Hero 6), pencil on animation paper, 1993.

Easter Fever: Canadian adult series, we see main character Jack Rabbit being tempted by a go-go dancer, gouache on acetate, 1980.

Rupert Bear: Created by English artist Mary Tourtel and first appeared in the Daily Express on November 8, 1920. Animation series was made in the 90s, gouache on acetate, 1991.

Dog City: Also known as Jim Henson's Dog City, hand-drawn model sheet of Bouvier with crossed eyes, scene 257 from episode 5, The Dog Pound, at around 16'00" crook Bouvier DaFlaundra is hit by a tennis ball, voiced by Dan Hennessey. Pencil on pre-printed model sheet paper, 1992.

Spongebob Squarepants: Squidward Tentacles, cashier at the Krusty Krab, in bed, gouache on acetate, 1999/2000.

Lucky Luke: His horse Jolly Jumper in side close-up, on purple copy background, gouache on acetate, 1983.

The commercial “Raid kills bugs dead” was very famous and started in 1963, first under the direction of animation legend Tex Avery. For more than 40 years, Don Pegler designed and drew the little monsters, in this case, cockroaches. Gouache on acetate, 1980s.