ROTTERDAM, 8 November 2023 – A historic statue of Dutch statesman Gijsbert Karel van Hogendorp returns to grace the World Trade Center Rotterdam, marking a momentous occasion for the city's heritage.
Photo credit: Gerrit Vermeulen
Historic statue returns to WTC Rotterdam
The statue of Dutch statesman Gijsbert Karel van Hogendorp (1762-1834), a significant figure in the drafting of the Netherlands' 1814 Constitution, has returned to the World Trade Center (WTC) Rotterdam. Created by Belgian sculptor Jozef Geefs in 1867, the statue underwent extensive restoration before its reinstatement. To commemorate this occasion, BKOR published a book titled “Het beeld, de man en het beeld Gijsbert Karel van Hogendorp” by Frank van Dijl.
The four-meter-tall bronze statue has been a familiar sight for Rotterdam residents, standing for nearly four decades at the WTC Rotterdam steps. It portrays Van Hogendorp holding the 1814 Constitution, acknowledging his pivotal role in its creation and his advocacy for free trade, aligning with the site's former use as a trading exchange.
Restoration and new placement
The 2,500-kilogram statue was carefully restored by Binder Art, a bronze foundry, with extensive work on both its interior and exterior. In collaboration with BKOR and the Municipality of Rotterdam, a new spot was selected for the statue on a low Norwegian granite pedestal at the WTC Rotterdam terrace.
Eveline Steenbergen, Managing Director of WTC Rotterdam and WTC The Hague, stated: “We are pleased to welcome back this beautifully restored statue to Rotterdam. It has become an integral part of our building's entrance, and we are proud to reinstate it in its rightful place.”
Directions to WTC Rotterdam
To visit the statue, have a look at the map below:
