Ger van Iersel created monumental commissioned art as well as independent work that he exhibited in galleries. What stands out about his commissions connected to the reconstruction is his artisanal creativity in various materials. He experimented extensively with new techniques, something common during the reconstruction period. His work often had a Christian undertone, fitting the various commissions he received from churches in and around Rotterdam. Van Iersel had a fondness for glass techniques and symbolism, which is beautifully expressed in this glass appliqué in the stairwell of the Hoogheemraadschap van Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard. Like many reconstruction artists, Van Iersel opted for stylization. Stylizing and abstracting visible reality was important because it indicated a universality, independent of the artist's signature. Van Iersel considered it important that art gave a human scale to the built environment. This glass-in-concrete depicts a tree of life; a sculptural tree of concrete in colorful shades of the windows, which give the building a distinctive appearance. The tree can be interpreted here as an epitome of growth and fertility. The yellow circle at the top is the sun, the light. Perhaps Van Iersel, with the white, earthy, and blue colors in the glass, is also literally referring to light, fertility, and water.
Ger van Iersel (Rotterdam, 1922 - 2014) studied at the Rotterdam Art Academy and then went to work in Rotterdam. There he was active as a sculptor, monumental artist, glass painter, painter, draftsman, wall painter and ceramist. He has many monumental works of art to his name and worked in various techniques. Much of his work is linked to the reconstruction period, when he worked for the new port city to be established. His work often had a Christian undertone, in keeping with the various commissions he received from churches in and around Rotterdam. He was a student of Louis van Roode and received the Laurens Medal and the Luther Medal for his work.
Glass in concrete window with themes of light, fertility and water
Materials
Glass applique and concrete
Dimensions
300 x 800 cm
years
1969
Client
Water Board of Schieland and the Krimpenerwaard
Recruitment
Kraaijvanger architects
Money source
Visual arts budget, involved construction assignment
Owner
Water Board of Schieland and the Krimpenerwaard
About the artwork
Ger van Iersel created monumental commissioned art as well as independent work that he exhibited in galleries. What stands out about his commissions connected to the reconstruction is his artisanal creativity in various materials. He experimented extensively with new techniques, something common during the reconstruction period. His work often had a Christian undertone, fitting the various commissions he received from churches in and around Rotterdam. Van Iersel had a fondness for glass techniques and symbolism, which is beautifully expressed in this glass appliqué in the stairwell of the Hoogheemraadschap van Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard. Like many reconstruction artists, Van Iersel opted for stylization. Stylizing and abstracting visible reality was important because it indicated a universality, independent of the artist's signature. Van Iersel considered it important that art gave a human scale to the built environment. This glass-in-concrete depicts a tree of life; a sculptural tree of concrete in colorful shades of the windows, which give the building a distinctive appearance. The tree can be interpreted here as an epitome of growth and fertility. The yellow circle at the top is the sun, the light. Perhaps Van Iersel, with the white, earthy, and blue colors in the glass, is also literally referring to light, fertility, and water.
Ger van Iersel (Rotterdam, 1922 - 2014) studied at the Rotterdam Art Academy and then went to work in Rotterdam. There he was active as a sculptor, monumental artist, glass painter, painter, draftsman, wall painter and ceramist. He has many monumental works of art to his name and worked in various techniques. Much of his work is linked to the reconstruction period, when he worked for the new port city to be established. His work often had a Christian undertone, in keeping with the various commissions he received from churches in and around Rotterdam. He was a student of Louis van Roode and received the Laurens Medal and the Luther Medal for his work.
Glass in concrete window with themes of light, fertility and water
Materials
Glass applique and concrete
Dimensions
300 x 800 cm
years
1969
Client
Water Board of Schieland and the Krimpenerwaard
Recruitment
Kraaijvanger architects
Money source
Visual arts budget, involved construction assignment
Owner
Water Board of Schieland and the Krimpenerwaard
Ger van Iersel -
Untitled (1969)
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