Willem Bilderdijk (1756-1831) c. 1877

Jean Theodor Stracké made this terracotta sculpture of Willem Bilderdijk, who lived from 1756 to 1831. Bilderdijk was a Dutch lawyer, scholar, and poet during a tumultuous time in European history, marked by revolution and shifting political landscapes. Stracké’s statue freezes Bilderdijk in a moment of poised intellectualism. Yet, Bilderdijk’s legacy is complex; he was known for his staunchly conservative views and opposition to the liberal ideas of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. His fierce traditionalism extended to his views on language and national identity, reflecting a deep concern for preserving Dutch cultural heritage against foreign influences. The sculpture may invite reflection on how society chooses to memorialize figures whose contributions are inseparable from problematic beliefs.