Jonah and the Whale, Biblical limestone sculpture in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
Jonah and the Whale is a limestone sculpture in 's-Hertogenbosch depicting the moment when the whale swallows the biblical figure. The carved surfaces and balanced proportions reflect the artist's precise craftsmanship throughout the work.
Leo Geurtjens created this religious sculpture in 1964, a time when Dutch cities were increasingly commissioning public artworks. This piece became part of a broader movement to establish monuments in shared civic spaces.
The sculpture shows a biblical story that holds central importance in Jewish and Christian traditions, demonstrating how religious narratives continue to appear in Dutch public spaces today.
The sculpture stands in an easily accessible location where visitors can examine the limestone details from different angles and distances. From various viewpoints around the work, you can appreciate how light plays across the carved surfaces throughout the day.
The work captures a specific moment that differs from traditional depictions, focusing on the exact instant of contact between the figure and the creature. This emphasis on the drama of immediate encounter gives the sculpture a powerful sense of presence.
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