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| De Delfts' decorations and furniture
are crafted in the ornament carvers shop. Under guidance
of instructor Wouter Schalk, a member of the Wood-Reconstruction
Builders Guild, the workers and students' current occupation
is primarily to find the right "chisel stroke". The
results of their practice, as can be admired on this page, will
find their appropriate destination on the yard. |
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The artistic and architectural style which
followed the gothic style in the 16th century was the
baroque. It can be recognized by its exuberant shapes.
In the 18th century, people reverted to examples from the Greek
and Roman classics. This is referred to as classicism.
An important characteristic of which is a strive for harmonious
proportions and "everlasting" shapes. The late 18th
century Louis XVI
and empire style are part of the classicist trend as
well.
The original design for the decorations of the stern of 'De
Delft' dates from 1783 and was made by the Rotterdam sculptor
Johan Keerbergen. This design, a pencil drawing, still exists
and is part of the collection of the Maritiem Museum Rotterdam.
It is not at all sure that the Council of the Admiralty has
actually given its approval for all of the details with ornamental
foliage and festoons to carry into affect. Parts that stick
out can easily get in the way of the ships ropes when sailing. |
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In the 18th century the trend
to decorate the outside of important ships with bulky sculptures
changed towards the use of more practical ornaments in low relief
carving work. De Delft was no exception to this as can be assumed
from the drawing. Some examples of pieces that will decorate
our Delft can be recognized already.
In 1778, Keerbergen sculpted four lions for the Rotterdam Hofpoort
all of which still exist. More on this can be found on the Engelfriet
family's website
, in Dutch, but with a lot of interesting pictures. Keerbergen
also made the
decorations
for the
Königsorgel
(A church organ made by a famous organ builder named König). |
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The pictures show some of the
carvers at work and some of the already made pieces. The "egg
rail" is a typical example of a late 18th century taffrail,
the outer rim of the stern. Medallions and musical instrument
were often used by Keerbergen. On the drawing these can be found
round the gallery; the extentions on the side connecting to
the stern.
The team of volunteers dedicated to historical research still
tries to find out what decorations were used or, if that information
is lost, are likely to have been used on De Delft. So anyone
who can give access to authentic documents or authentic images
concerning the work of Johan(nus) Keerbergen or marine artist
Gerrit Groenewegen (1754-1826) will find them to be most interested! |
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photography: Theo Baks
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