Lady Ludewé Vink (Vrouwe Ludewé Vink)

About this artwork.

In the garden of the Pieternella Gasthuis stands a black granite bust of Ludewé Vink, the founder of the establishment. During her life, she lost three husbands and both her children, Pieter and Pieternella. In 1872, Ludewé founded a guesthouse for members of the Reformed Church in the grounds of her estate. Because her third marriage to a wealthy ship owner from Emden meant that she knew many sailors’ families, she stipulated in her will a preference for the admission of seafarers before guests from other walks of life. No surprise, then, that this guest house is called The Sailors’ Rest (Schippersgasthuis). In the 20th century, the criteria for occupants became less and less strict but the Board still decides who the new occupants can be.

The bust was designed by John Boetes. For some of the year, Boetes lives in the Pieternella Gasthuis, and the rest of the time, he can be found in an Indian sculptors’ village, formally know as Mahabalipuram. This town has around 10,000 inhabitants, 2,500 of whom call themselves sculptors. Boetes makes his sculptures in cement and then has them cut in black granite by his fellow Indian sculptors. This is also how the bust of Lady Vink was made.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  John Boetes

• District
  Centrum

• Year of creation
  2010

• Art type
  Bust

• Material
  Granite