Artwork Data
Title
Johan van Oldenbarnevelt
Artist
Year
1954
Material
bronzen beeld, stenen sokkel
Dimensions
h. 220 cm
Artwork Location
Address
Lange Vijverberg, Den Haag
City district
Centrum
GPS data
52.0806015875756, 4.31157459018628 View on map
Artwork Description
Text
There he sits; along Lange Vijverberg, overlooking Hofvijver, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt. The fingers of his right hand point to his chest in the place of his heart. In his left hand, he holds his famous cane, which the Rijksmuseum actually possesses. The head hangs somewhat meekly forward. These may be subtle references by sculptor Oswald Wenckebach to the tragic death of the country lawyer.
The design of the 1954 sculpture is also strikingly traditional for Wenckebach, who was otherwise so experimental. Was this due to the restrictive conditions of the commission? Or did the artist find it inappropriate to depict this great statesman in a modern style? We do not know. But what is certain is that Wenckebach - despite, or precisely because of, the conservative representation - succeeded in creating an extremely sensitive portrait.
Like Johan de Witt, Van Oldenbarnevelt (1547-1619) was long controversial. Indeed, a tribute to Van Oldenbarnevelt was not forthcoming until after the Second World War. Nevertheless, the Netherlands owes him a great deal. As the country's advocate, Van Oldenbarnevelt guided the Republic through one of its most turbulent periods. During the Eighty Years' War, he ensured a good army and the support of England and France. This enabled Prince Maurice, who had become stadholder through him, to achieve success in the struggle against the Spaniards.
In 1617, Maurice and Van Oldenbarnevelt found themselves at loggerheads. An escalating clerical conflict took on political overtones. This strained relations between the two, as well as within the country. Maurice and the States General intervened to preserve the unity of the Republic. Van Oldenbarnevelt was arrested in August 1618 and convicted of high treason on dubious grounds. In 1619, he was beheaded in the Binnenhof in The Hague, in front of the Ridderzaal.