John Rädecker Anton Verhey monument (1926)

The program Anton Verhey monument was founded in 1926 to commemorate this conductor, musician, composer and music teacher who was important to Rotterdam. Verhey died unexpectedly on February 12, 1924. The young sculptor John Rädecker was commissioned to create a memorial and set out to symbolize Verhey's life in a single figure. Rädecker chose the mythical figure Orpheus, who when he played his lyre could make people and animals listen breathless. Orpheus is depicted crouching, playing a stylized lyre, while a monkey, lion, lamb and dog listen at his feet. The text on the edge of the pedestal is as follows: Anton BH Verhey - in memoriam - Toon artist - 2/2 1871 - 2/2 1924. The statue is signed at the top right of the monkey with JR 1925.