👉 Donate to the restoration of De Bock
This year, the Haagse Kunstkring is celebrating its 135th anniversary. Since its founding in 1891 by, among others, the painter Théophile de Bock, the Haagse Kunstkring has been a place where artists and art lovers meet and inspire one another.
In the club’s garden stands a bronze bust of founder Théophile de Bock, created by sculptor Toon Dupuis. After decades of being exposed to the elements, the statue has become heavily soiled and is in urgent need of restoration. Especially in this anniversary year, the Art Circle wishes to restore its founder to his former glory.
The restoration is being carried out by Tonny Beentjes, one of the Netherlands’ leading metal restorers and an affiliate of the University of Amsterdam. Beentjes has previously restored, among other works, Rodin’s world-famous *The Thinker*, which had been stolen from the garden of the Singer Laren Museum.
Thanks to a very generous contribution from the Diplomatic Representation of Flanders in the Netherlands, we’ve already made significant progress. To fully fund the restoration, we are still seeking €1,275.
Would you like to make a donation? Any amount is welcome.
👉 Donate to the restoration of De Bock
The restored statue will be unveiled in a festive ceremony on October 23 at De Bock social club, in the presence of Nic Van der Marliere (Diplomatic Representative of Flanders), Ton van Kalmthout (chairman of LTF), and restorer Tonny Beentjes.