Erasmus, Bronze statue at Grotekerkplein, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Erasmus is a life-sized bronze statue positioned on a pedestal roughly two meters high, showing the scholar dressed in a tunic and cap. He gazes downward at an open book held in his hands, emphasizing the focus on knowledge and study.
Rotterdam's city council commissioned Hendrick de Keyser in 1616 to create this work, which his son Pieter completed in 1622 after the sculptor's death. It became the first public bronze statue in the Netherlands, marking a turning point in the country's art history.
The statue depicts Erasmus engaged with a book, serving as a symbol of Rotterdam's tradition of intellectual pursuit and learning. It remains a familiar landmark where locals and visitors encounter a representation of the city's scholarly heritage.
The statue stands on Grotekerkplein, an accessible public square in central Rotterdam where visitors can view it at any time. The location is easily reached on foot from the city center and offers a good view from multiple angles.
The work survived World War II by being buried under sandbags to protect it from bomb damage during the conflict. This protection measure reveals how the city sought to preserve its artistic treasures during wartime.
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