Located at the
Tweebaksmarkt in Leeuwarden is the smallest, in Jugendstil style built, theatre in Europe. It was built in 1903-1904 to house an insurance-office named "Utrecht"; since 2013 it's a theatre for small concerts, cabaret, lectures, exhibitions and workshops.
There is a remarkable sculpture on the roof made by Dutch sculptor Joseph Mendes da Costa (1863-1939), picturing 4 pelicans. The pelican symbols the insurance occupation, as the animal feeds her offspring with her own blood if necessary -so their site explains. But to be honest I'm a bit lost there! Googling a bit further I learned that in early Christianity the pelican symbolised mother-love: pelicans were pictured with their chest pecked open by themselves, so their offspring could be fed with blood.
Hmm, I still do not see a clear link with the insurance trade... how about you?
Such a wonderful building!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenAnd how about the horseshoe? :-)
BeantwoordenVerwijderenAnd how about the horseshoe? :-)
BeantwoordenVerwijderenIn my experience insurance companies take much more than they're willing to give. Pelicans are wonderful birds nonetheless and that's a fine sculpture.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThe sculpture's quite a surprise. I like the style of the building.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenTja een mysterieus symbool, ik zou het niet weten.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI like this building, and I like these pelicans. The sculpture is the ideal. ;) Never seen any like this.
BeantwoordenVerwijderen