091. Central Museum by Ruud van den Berg

About "091. Central Museum"

by Ruud van den Berg

About the artwork

This digital artwork, inspired by a historical still life, shows a monumental wall stone at the centre of the image. The wall stone is a tribute to Maria Duyst van Voorhout, the wife of Renswoude, who in the year MDCCLVII (1757) donated the building of today's Centraal Museum to serve as a children's home. The stone bears traces of time: weathered edges, subtle cracks and a soft patina give the surface a tangible history.
On either side of the wall stone are stylised sculptures. These figures, soberly but powerfully designed, symbolise wisdom and mercy - values the children's home embodied at the time. Their stretched postures and subdued facial expressions enhance the solemnity of the scene.
Between the statues are two horizontal rows of heraldic coats of arms. Each coat of arms represents a prominent person from eighteenth-century Utrecht society who was involved in the foundation or administration of the children's home. The colours and shapes of the coats of arms have been digitally refreshed, but retain their historical character.
Central between the rows of arms is a text set in ancient Dutch. The text, with ornate letters in relief, explains the philanthropic aim of the foundation: care and education of orphans and abandoned children.
The whole exudes an understated reverence, with digital processing subtly accentuating the historical layering. The artwork invites reflection on charity, heritage and the quiet power of monuments.

Address: Agnietenstraat 1, 3512 XA Utrecht

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Finished on: 06-07-2022