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1924

A monument for President Steyn II

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Emblem

After a previous design for the monument for Martinus Steyn by sculptor Mendes Da Costa was rejected by Helene, Henry van de Velde receives the commission in 1924. Unlike Da Costa, Van de Velde does not incorporate a portrait in the monument. His Steyn bench bears only an emblem with objects that symbolize Steyn’s actions; a magnifying glass and a barometer to search for a solution and a sword to subsequently make a decision, with the sword if necessary.

Henry van de Velde, Steyn bench, 1924 / Henry van de Velde Design for Steyn bench, 1924 / Letter Henry van de Velde to Helene Kröller-Müller, 13 June 1924

Part of: ‘'For the benefit and enjoyment of the community'’.

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