Last weekend the memorial monument Faith and freedom (1961) stolen by the Rotterdam artist Loeki Metz. This memorial was placed on the facade of 1961e Pijnackerstraat number 1 in 104 and has a special significance. The theft was reported by a neighborhood janitor, after which a report was made to the police. Metz's heirs have been informed of the theft and said it is sad that a memorial monument from her has been stolen. BKOR is also very upset. Loeki Metz is a prominent artist with various works of art in Rotterdam that we have to be careful about.
During the occupation years, a group of resistance members regularly met in the 'Geloof en Vrijheid' building of the Dutch Reformed Church on 1e Pijnackerstraat. The resistance group was led by Jacob Jan Hamelink. On October 18, 1942, the Sicherheitspolizei raided the building. Hamelink, Emanuel Zwitser and Teunis van Est were killed. Every year on May 4, this event is commemorated at the monument.
DESCRIPTION ARTWORK
The relief is in the shape of a torch, a symbol of the resistance fire. The upper part of the relief depicts the resistance in general, represented by a figure who protects the victims below with outstretched arms. To the left women and children being carried away; right-wing men who are put to work. The symbols of the essence of the resistance, Faith and Freedom, are placed like two small figures on the shoulders of the large figure. Below the figure are the names of the fallen: JJ Hamelink, Emanuel Zwitser and Teunis van Est, their dates of birth and the day of their death. The lower part of the relief depicts the making of illegal printing and the taking of fingerprints for false identity cards, symbolizing the work done by the victims. The relief is made of different types of metal.
ARTIST
Louise Estelle Julie, or Loeki Metz (Amsterdam, 1918 – Rotterdam, 2004) was a sculptor and medallist. She mainly worked with bronze, wood and silver. Her style was impressionistic and figurative. Work Faith and freedom is also seen as a prelude to her Jewish Monument (1967) under the arches of the town hall on the inner garden. Metz is best known for her reliefs and medals.
