Mayor Evert van Ketwich Verschuur (1917-1924)

About this artwork.

Evert van Ketwich Verschuur (1879 - 1924) was a liberal politician and as such mayor of Groningen for seven years from 1917. His appointment in 1917 as Van Starkenborgh's successor comes as a surprise to many. Although Evert van Ketwich Verschuur has a long list of impressive references, he is not the most obvious mayor for Groningen as a native from Zwolle. Besides, at 38 years old, he was relatively young for this position.

The Groningers quickly appreciate the Zwolle native. He was praised for his charming and decisive action, in which he especially championed the position of Groningen as a center for trade and industry. A high point in his career is the royal visit in 1922, on the occasion of the celebration of 250 years Relief of Groningen.

Van Ketwich Verschuur combined the function of mayor between 1919 and 1923 with membership of the Provincial Council of Groningen and from September 18, 1923 until his death on April 19, 1924 with membership of the Senate of the States General. His sudden death was deeply mourned by the people of Groningen. A memorial was erected at the Esserveld cemetery in Groningen, with a mourning City Virgin on it. An avenue and a bridge were also named after him in the city.

The mayor's portrait was painted after his death in 1925 by painter Jan Bogaerts (1878 - 1962). With his realistic still lifes he is seen as a precursor of the hyperrealism movement. The portrait was donated in 1925 by the "Committee in honor of the memory of the late mayor of this municipality, Dr. E. van Ketwich Verschuur".

Facts & Figures.

• Artist(s)
  Jan Bogaerts

• Year of creation
  1925

• Dimensions (in cm)
  84x74

• Collection
  Town Hall Collection

• Technic
  Oil paint on canvas