Een gebreidelde Atlas en zijn hemelkloot. De geschiedenis van een stadhuisbeeld

Abstract

A Bridled Atlas and his celestial globe. The History of a Statue on the Amsterdam Town Hall. The central figure at the back facade of the former city hall -now royal palace- in Amsterdam is the mythological giant Atlas. His presence is 'an allusion to universal peace', according to art historians who refer to the Treatry of Munster (1648) that also inspired other decorations by the architect Jacob van Campen (1596-1657). Yet in the visual language of the early modern period, the image of Atlas rather points to a transfer of power. During his preliminary design of the building, Van Campen was faced with the death of his former patron, stadtholder Frederick Henry of Orange, who was succeeded by his son, William II. The Amsterdam burgomasters agreed with a statue referring to their less-than-beloved stadtholder only because he was flanked and watched by two ladies: Temperantia (moderation) and Vigilantia (vigilance). Around 1667 the bronze Atlas with a large globe on his shoulders was placed on the tympan at the rear side of the town hall. Visitors who dared to climb into the sphere were rewarded with a magnificent view of the city. Coloured green by corrosion, Atlas still dominates the western side of the royal palace today.