Artwork Data
Title
Gedenkzuil jonkheer Gevers-Deynoot
Artist
Year
(1878) 1928
Material
natuursteen / marmer / brons
Dimensions
700 cm
Partial collection
Artwork Location
Address
Burgemeester Françoisplein, Den Haag
City district
Loosduinen
GPS data
52.0543646360874, 4.24338144636626 View on map
Artwork Description
Text
Vandalism is of all times. At the mercy of the wantonness of the village youth, the inscription plates have been violated, the bronze wreaths and large bronze buttons have been robbed, ...', reported 't Vaderland' in 1909. The monument to Dirk Rudolph Gevers-Deynoot, dating from 1878, was completely dismantled. Place of misfortune: the Oude Haagweg at number 285/287, where once the country estate 'Rusthoek' of Gevers-Deynoot (1807-1877) stood. Before its transfer to Copernicusplein in 1909, the monument had to be restored.
From Copernicusplein it was subsequently moved in 1928 to the park of Burgemeester Françoisplein, near the original spot. It was restored again in 2005. The local residents have one of the oldest, free-standing memorials in The Hague in front of their door. With the obelisk on a stone vase, it is a good example of 19th century classicism, a style inspired by the art and architecture of classical antiquity. The acanthus leaf on the corners of the vase is also a motif from antiquity. Furthermore, the memorial needle is adorned with bronze garlands of leaves. On the front is the Gevers-Deynoot coat of arms. The cantonal judge in Rotterdam enjoyed widespread fame and appreciation in his hometown of Loosduinen. The Hollandsche Maatschappij van Landbouw, of which he was founder and secretary, took the initiative for this tribute.
The design of the memorial pole is by architect André van den Brink from The Hague. It was executed by stonemason A.P. Schotel. On 21 December 1877, he informed his client that he had ordered the sandstone for the vase and obelisk and the hardstone for the base plate. He also wrote: 'As soon as I receive the stone, I will make vigorous efforts to have the monument completed in the near future. And so it happened: 25 May 1878 was the day of the unveiling.