Window display: Thorbecke monument (Thom Puckey)

11 February - 3 June  2017
Location: window
Stroom Den Haag, Hogewal 1-9, Den Haag
On view: 24/7 from the street

Location Thorbecke monument itself: Lange Voorhout / Tournooiveld, The Hague

Artist Thom Puckey created a new monument for the Dutch 19th-century statesman Johan Rudolph Thorbecke. It is a representation of solid policy making and of an exchange of thought based on knowledge and equality. This window display shows the working process of the artist, with the working model and many photographs and a video showing the different stages of the creation of the monument.

During a significant part of his life J.R. Thorbecke (1798-1872) lived and worked in The Hague. In 1848 he wrote the Dutch constitution. To this day it is the foundation of our rule of law and of our constitutional monarchy. A monument to this statesman is right in place in The Hague, the seat of our national government.

The Hague monument to J.R. Thorbecke is also right in time. "On behalf of time" and averse to the issues of the day Thorbecke fulfilled his political mission. Thom Puckey designed an intriguing ensemble of marble and stainless steel with an almost cinematic structure. In it, the 19th and the 21st century touch, and past and present are connected. From his study Thorbecke is looking into the future, to us, and towards 'het Torentje' - the prime minister's office - as the guardian of a government that is based on science and knowledge.

With this monument an initiative of the Citycouncil of The Hague from 2008 is realised. It advocated the creation of a dignified and timeless monument to Thorbecke, in line with existing monuments to the other statesmen Johan de Witt, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt and Willem Drees.

Stroom Den Haag acted as advisor and co-ordinator of a support committee.

More about theThorbecke monument on the Stroom website: >> click here

Window display 'Thorbecke monument' at Stroom, 2017
photo: Jhoeko, courtesy Stroom Den Haag
Window display 'Thorbecke monument' at Stroom, 2017
photo: Jhoeko, courtesy Stroom Den Haag
Work in progress: Thom Puckey, Thorbecke monument (clay)
photo: © Thom Puckey
Work in progress: Thom Puckey, Thorbecke monument (clay)
photo: © Thom Puckey
Work in progress: Thom Puckey, Thorbecke monument (mold)
photo: © Thom Puckey
Work in progress: Thom Puckey, Thorbecke monument (mold)
photo: © Thom Puckey
Work in progress: Thom Puckey, Thorbecke monument (mold)
photo: © Thom Puckey
Work in progress: Thom Puckey, Thorbecke monument (marble)
photo: © Thom Puckey
Work in progress: Thom Puckey, Thorbecke monument (marble)
photo: © Thom Puckey
Maakproces: Thom Puckey, Thorbecke monument (RVS foundry)
photo: © Thom Puckey
Maakproces: Thom Puckey, Thorbecke monument (transport Italy)
photo: © Thom Puckey