Robert Meijer
Photographed by Robert Maplethorpe, 1979
Robert Meijer
In 1970s Amsterdam, Robert Meijer emerged as a pioneering figure in leather craftsmanship, fetish culture, and male erotic art.
A former women’s fashion designer, discovered the world of leather and BDSM at the age of forty, a discovery that would forever change his life and career. Encouraged by his partner Nigel Kent, he transitioned from silk to leather and developed a unique style that combined craftsmanship with eroticism. For Rob, leather was far more than just a material; it was a symbol of strength, sensuality, and sell-expression.
Through RoB Amsterdam and the groundbreaking RoB Gallery, he created one of Europe’s first public spaces dedicated to erotic art, helping bring underground queer culture into international artistic visibility. Combining elegance, provocation, and activism, Robert transformed erotic art from something hidden into something proudly exhibited and shared.
RoB Amsterdam
& RoB Gallery
When his relationship with Nigel ended, Robert moved his studio to Weteringschans 273, a space large enough to contain his expanding vision.
Leather was his medium, but art was his philosophy. In 1977, he opened the RoB Gallery for Male Erotic Art, providing a platform for artists such as Tom of Finland, whose hypermasculine drawings came to define the aesthetics of gay liberation.
Robert met Dai, who became both partner and muse, helping Robert catalogue artworks and manage growing international interest. When Dai’s work took him to New York, the pair expanded the RoB Gallery to Greenwich Village, opening a new chapter in their shared vision.
RoB Amsterdam is now located on Warmoesstraat 71.
