Opening Monument Leidens Ontzet

On October 3rd, His Majesty unveiled the monument that I had the privilege of designing on behalf of the 3 Octoober Vereeniging Leiden

The monument stands as a new gateway at the edge of the city, near the windmill De Valk, on Rijnsburgersingel. The drops flowing from the wings symbolize the water from the surrounding areas of Leiden that the Geuzen used to liberate the city in 1574.

The form is inspired by the famous triptych by Lucas van Leyden from the same century (1526); The Last Judgment, which is displayed a few hundred meters away, in Museum de Lakenhal.

In the original, Jesus determines who goes to heaven and who goes to hell, I have left that part out. The center is empty, leaving space for reflection.

The remaining wings together form a gateway that can no longer close or shut people out, as one would expect from the city of refugees. The wings also act as a window onto the city, and with the 1940-1945 memorial at the center, they open up to freedom.

Many thanks to the Stichting De Geuzen van Boisot, Cultuurfonds Leiden, and the Van der Mandele Foundation for funding the realization, the 3 October Vereeniging, and on their behalf Guido Marchena for the honorable commission, Schouls and ZP pumps for the installation, Gemeente Leiden for the excellent cooperation, Allart Lakke for inspiring me to work with censorship and the triptych, and Eva Schreuder for working together on this beautiful project.