Karel Appel, 'Frog with umbrella', 2001 (1993)

Karel Appel, Frog with umbrella, 2001 (1993)
Location: Intersection of Kalvermarkt, Grote Marktstraat and Spui

Red, green, and blue: Karel Appel's (1921-2006) sculpture at the intersection of Spui, Grote Markt, and Kalvermarkt stands out vividly against the white facade of Richard Meyer's town hall and library. The richness of colors is as characteristic of Appel as the white is of Meyer’s architecture. Appel's sculpture is set on a substantial oval pedestal, forming a central point in the Pedestal Plan.

Appel is renowned both nationally and internationally as an expressive painter. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, he gained fame as one of the founders of the Cobra movement. The artists of this movement advocated for freedom and experimentation, drawing significant inspiration from spontaneous childlike drawings.

In addition to painting, Appel has always created sculptures. He frequently used so-called 'objets trouvés,' or found objects, to assemble new works. These found items range from waste to masks and from everyday objects to animal figures. Often, these items come from a diverse array of cultures.

In 2001, the year of Appel's eightieth birthday, the 750 Years of The Hague Foundation gifted his 'Frog with Umbrella' to the city's administration. The original sculpture, made of wood, dates back to 1993. For this occasion, it was cast in a larger bronze format. After casting, sculptor André Kruysen (1967) completed the sculpture by finishing the surface to match the original piece. P. Struycken (1939) then painted the sculpture in vibrant colors, also following the original design. Sikkens developed extra-durable paints specifically for Appel's sculpture.

Although Appel created numerous sculptures, only a few are displayed in public spaces. 'Frog with Umbrella' was one of the first.