Tags
Architect, Arjan den Boer, Art Nouveau, Facade, G.J. de Jongh, Jugendstil, Mascaron, Mathenesserlaan, Piet Buskens, stained glass, Wester Paviljoen
A little while ago, we had two appointments in the center of Rotterdam. And a few hours between those appointments. We decided to use our time wisely… and went Art Nouveau hunting. We didn’t have múch time; yet enough for a coffee at Grand Café Wester Paviljoen (1895) and a walk through (part of) the Mathenesserlaan.
We first stopped at De Kunsthal to pick up their brochure Jugendstil in Rotterdam which they have issued a few years ago. (If you want a copy of that brochure too, you’ld better be fast. They only have one box left in the back and they’re not planning on reprinting.)
Now, before I continue, I would like to explain why I am using the terms Art Nouveau and Jugendstil parallel in this post. Personally, I prefer to use Art Nouveau. Why? I don’t know. The term originally comes from France, and Belgium. In Germany, they called the style Jugendstil. The Dutch have their own name: Nieuwe Kunst. However, today, both Art Nouveau and Jugendstil have been accepted world-wide as generic terms. Wedged between Belgium/France and Germany, some Dutch publications use Art Nouveau while others use Jugendstil; even when referring to our own Dutch heritage. The terms are completely interchangeable. Want to read more about this subject? Read my earlier post.
Okay, back to Rotterdam….
When Rotterdam expanded the most, Jugendstil was en vogue. Well known local architects like Johannes Verheul (1860-1948), Jacques van Gils (1865-1919), Francis Jacobus Cornelis Josephus van Beers (1865-1939), Petrus Gerardus (Piet) Buskens (1872-1939), P.J. Oprel and Theo L. Kanters (1842-1897) got a chance to show what they were capable of.
In 1903, urban planner Gerrit Johannes de Jongh (1845-1917) started developing the Heemraadssingel and the Mathenesserlaan. Along these majestic avenues beautiful houses arose for the wealthy middle classes. I gather it must have been a delight to go for a stroll back in 1910.
Lots of homes though, as well as company buildings and shops, were destroyed in 1940 during the bombing of Rotterdam. And after that, during the reconstruction and urban renewal of the city, again many Jugendstil objects were demolished or maimed. No one seemed to care about Jugendstil anymore.
If you click on this picture, you’ll be directed to Retours Magazine. I strongly recommend you have a look at the magazine as Arjan den Boer is doing an amazing job producing spectacular new issues each month!
But recently, things have changed. Ugly signboards are being removed, facades restored and beautiful shop fronts appear from behind cladding. Like we are slowly waking up to discover what beautiful treasures we have been sitting on all along.
This also happened around the Mathenesserlaan. Coming from Grand Café Wester Paviljoen (1895), the first buildings that catch your eye are the ones right across, on the corner of the Nieuwe Binnenweg and the Mathernesselaan (nr. 167-175). They were designed in 1901 by architect J.G. Meyns, with a shop at street level and living quarters on the floors above.
Corner Nieuwe Binnenweg – Mathenesserlaan
Not the most spectacular Art Nouveau buildings I have ever seen, but still…
Below, I will give you an overview of some houses I photographed at the Mathenesserlaan. And although these houses cannot in a million years compete with the grandeur of the architecture in for instance Brussels, when you zoom in on the details, you’ll have to agree with me that Art Nouveau, or Jugendstil if you like, was unmistakably present in Rotterdam.
Mathenesserlaan 222-226
Mathenesserlaan 238
Mathenesserlaan 250
Mathenesserlaan 254, 1900
Mathenesserlaan 256, 1902
Mathenesserlaan 258
Mathenesserlaan 262-264, 1905
As far as this part of the Mathenesserlaan is concerned, I find the last property the most spectacular one. Just look at the woodwork and the stone decorations. It even has a mascaron! The two almost identical houses under one roof were designed around 1905 by architect Petrus Gerardus (Piet) Buskens (1872-1939) as his own home and office.
I have enjoyed our short walk tremendously and I’ll try to go back soon to report on the rest of the Art Nouveau / Jugendstil heritage in Rotterdam. I’m sure there are a lot of hidden gems. Let me know if you have any suggestions. I’ld love to hear about your discoveries!
Source
Architectuur in Rotterdam – Piet Buskens
Beschermd Stadsgezicht in Rotterdam
Delftshaven – toen en nu
DEVRIES architectuur
Lijst van Gemeentelijke Monumenten in Rotterdam
About Art Nouveau 
Great post, need to go there. It’s my birthplace, by the way……
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Hi Jalf, thanks for reading and for your compliment. If you come across any interesting objects in Rotterdam, please let us know! Have a nice weekend, Olga
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Dear Olga,
You ask for recommmendations as to Art Nouveau architecture in Rotterdam. I very much like the ensemble of houses called Wagnerhof in Rotterdam-Kralingen, Vijverlaan nrs. 61 to 71. In the guide of the Kunsthal nr. 16. It is in the Viennese Secession style and very elegant. I can also recommend my home town The Hague. This year the neighborhood STATENKWARTIER published a very attractieve walking guide called: STRUINEN DOOR HET STATENKWARTIER – 9 ONTDEKKINGSTOCHTEN. The guide is full color with pictures on every page as well as contemporary pictures, descriptions of the most important architects and over 100 pages. As this neighborhood was built around 1900 for wealthy pensionados returning from the Netherlands Indies (now Indonesia), there is a lot of Art Nouveau architecture to be seen. This neighborhood is around the GEMEENTEMUSEUM in The Hague. More information about the guide can be found with Google. This guide is not for sale in the shops! You can buy it in the museum MUSEON (museum voor het onderwijs) next to the Gemeentemuseum at € 15.
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Dear Fred,
Thank you só much for taking the time to share all this information with us!
I also very much like the ensemble at Wagnerhof. Need to go there on a sunny day soon (when there are no leaves on the trees) to make some nice photo’s to share here. Thanks for reminding me.
The Hague is also a wonderful place to do Art Nouveau hunting. As a matter of fact, I am going on a guided tour in the coming week, as I am interested in hearing the details about each building. We sometimes walk or drive through The Hague, but then I miss the information. This time I am planning on walking with a guide. Just hope it will be sunny and not too cold!
I will go to the Museon and have a look at the book you are recommending. It might just be the information I need! Thanks for telling us about it.
Olga
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Lovely. It’s so good to see that restoration is taking place and that there are some gems remaining. Love the details
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Hi Poshbirdy,
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read my blog!
It is indeed great that things finally are changing, and restoration is taking place. I can’t wait to see what’s behind the shop signs that haven’t been removed yet…
Olga
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Hello Olga,
Thank you for your work, very nice!
Francis Jacobus Cornelis Josephus van Beers (1865-1939) was my great-grandfather. He lived at, and I believe designed 183 Mathernesserlaan. I would love to find out more about his life and architecture. Do you have any more information? Thank you again for your blog and interest in Art Nouveau.
Esther van Beers
Oakland, California
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Dear Esther,
From what I have read, your great-grandfather is responsible for Mathenesserlaan 183-199 (1898). The houses are described for their neogothic details. His son, Hendricus Cornelis Marie van Beers seems to be better known as there is much more about him ont he internet. He even has his own wikipage! (https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hendrikus_Cornelis_Marie_van_Beers)
Thank you for reading my Blog and for contacting me. If you need any specific help tracing your ancestors, let me know.
Olga
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