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"If I am anything, I am a Hagueian". This characterisation of himself by Louis Couperus (1863-1923), one of the Netherlands' most renowned writers, has been carefully chiselled into the natural stone pedestal on which his bronze statue stands. Couperus was known as a gentleman and dandy: always well dressed and in accordance with the latest menswear fashion, and meticulously groomed. In a well-known old photograph, he is seen walking across Lange Voorhout. Kees Verkade also portrayed him in that photo: distinguished, with hat, tie, long coat, handkerchief, walking stick and, of course, glacé gloves.

Sculptor Verkade mainly makes figurative bronze sculptures inspired by the world-famous French colleague August Rodin (1840-1917). Verkade preferred to depict nudes and sports figures. He also modelled portrait busts of Queen Wilhelmina, Simon Camiggelt and Johnny Jordaan, but he portrayed Louis Couperus literally and figuratively in full-length. Verkade shows the writer of historical and psychological realistic novels and stories in his later years. The writer preferred to situate his characters in his beloved court town. He also liked to stroll there himself. This old photograph bears witness to that. No wonder that the management of the C.A.O.P. (Centre for Labour Relations with Government Employees) asked Verkade for a statue of Couperus for their doorstep on Lange Voorhout.

Like the writer, Verkade has always had a strong bond with the city of The Hague. After an introductory interview, where he appeared in a much too neat suit, he was admitted to the Royal Academy of Art, where he learned the intricacies of classical sculpture from Dirk Bus (1907-1978). Even though he spent a lot of time abroad, the distinguished The Hague of Couperus has always remained a bit like The Hague of Verkade.