Untitled (1928) Adriaan van der Plas

photo BKOR archive
About the artwork

It is not certain that this work is Adriaan van der Plas, but the style seems to correspond to other façade reliefs by his hand and this was a Catholic assignment under the architecture of Kraaijvanger. In addition, Van der Plas made a series of reliefs on the Nieuwe Binnenweg in the 1930s. This church building was completed in 1928 and expanded in 1952. The rosettes above the three entrances on the Dorpsweg will be made in 1928 on that first delivery. Pope Clement with a papal cross in his hands and an anchor can be seen on the left tile panel. The middle tableau shows a basket of breads and fish, possibly a reference to the Eucharist. On the right you can see the holy archangel Michael. The colors of the tiles are red, white and blue and are very contrasting; after all years that is still clearly visible. It is exceptionally nicely done.

read more
About the artist

Adriaan van der Plas (Rotterdam, 1899 - Kerkrade, 1974) specialized in religious art and design. He studied at the Rotterdam art academy. Van der Plas received a bronze medal for nude figure drawing and he received three Royal Grants. From 1921 to 1923 he made study trips through Europe and then settled permanently in Rotterdam. He drew delicately and with care, made prints and paintings, including murals for De Doelen in 1935, a Way of the Cross in front of St. Bavo in Heemstede. In 1940 he made the mural 'Viribus Unitis' for the Jungerhans family's emergency shop on Mathenesserlaan.

read more