Cemetery Monument of J.H.A. Schaper

About this artwork.

De Groninger J.H. Schaper (1868-1934) was a leading figure in the socialist movement in the Netherlands. He was co-founder of the Social Democratic Workers' Party (SDAP), the predecessor of the Labour Party, in 1894 and served in the Lower House for 35 years. After Schaper's death, the regional Groningen association of the SDAP took the initiative to erect a monument at his grave. The task was given to Willem Valk.
 
Valk placed a figure that leans forward, deep in contemplation, on Schaper's grave. The robust, bare upper body and the clogs show that it is a working-class person, the people that Schaper spent his life fighting for. Drama and heroism have been left out: instead of making him militant or in the midst of taxing work, Valk created a more philosophical working man. On the sides of the base are the encouraging inscriptions “Waak voor uw karakter” (guard your character) and “Volg uw overtuiging” (follow your convictions). The name of the commissioning party is located on the front: “To our pioneer. Gew Fed Groningen SDAP.”
 
The sculpture, carved out of sandstone, is a clear expression of the way Valk usually worked. He made little or no sketches for a statue or a relief, but created a life-size design in clay and then executed it in stone. Usually he stayed very close to the original stone slab, creating a tight, stylised shape. Valk liked to work with difficult materials, such as the hard rocks granite and syenite, but he also made many sculptures in the much softer sandstone and limestone.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Willem Valk

• District
  Helpman

• Year of creation
  1935

• Art type
  Monument, Freestanding sculpture

• Material
  Sandstone

• Dimensions
  h 2,00 m