Prof. T.H. van Swinderen

About this artwork.

On a brick pedestal stands the cast iron bust of Theodorus van Swinderen (1784-1853). He was Professor of Natural History at the University of Groningen, but gained fame as a school overseer and activist for the improvement of primary education. Four commemorative stones with laudatory words about the person portrayed are included in the paving stones situated around the pedestal.  

Originally, the monument consisted of a memorial in the form of a high sandstone column, with inscriptions in gilt letters on all four sides. The bust then stood in a niche on the north side of the monument. The design of the column was made by, architect J.H. Scheepers, the portrait commission had been awarded to the painter Johannes Egenberger. Perhaps Egenberger knew more about painting than modelling; the facial features are so heavy that Van Swinderen's face is almost caricatured. Furthermore, the hairstyle seems to be modelled after the Roman fashion, giving the person portrayed the aura of an old senator. 

The memorial for Van Swinderen is the second oldest monument in the city of Groningen (the oldest is the Guyot memorial from 1829). From 1861 to 1984 it was owned by the Green Orphanage, a home for orphans. When it moved to the Verlengde Hereweg 173 in 1933, the bust moved along with it (the column itself was demolished). In 1984 the Green Orphanage was closed, following which the bust went into storage. In 1990 the monument was given a place in the courtyard of the University Museum.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Johannes Egenberger

• District
  Centrum

• Year of creation
  1861

• Art type
  Bust

• Material
  Cast iron

• Dimensions
  0,69 m