Category Archives: Hilversum

How To Change The World

Sanatorium Zonnestraal
Jan Duiker

Sanatorium Zonnestraal is considered one of modern architecture’s most important buildings. The project was designed by architect Jan Duiker, a major representative of Het Nieuwe Bouwen, “The New Building”, the Dutch exponent of the international modern movement in architecture. The architects of the Nieuwe Bouwen movement focused on the world of modern technology and new building materials that would enable efficient, functional and hygienic schools, homes and factories. This building didn’t just transform how society thought about building materials but also how they thought about healthcare. Most of the patients here lived and worked in dirty, dark and crowded conditions where tuberculosis spread unabated. In a real departure for tuberculosis treatment at the time, the steel and concrete buildings were designed so all the rooms were flooded with light and had balconies that allowed the patients to spend their days in the fresh air. The principles established in Zonnestraal were repeated throughout the world.

How Did It Happen

In the early 1900’s Amsterdam was the largest producer of diamonds in the world. Most of the diamond workers were Portuguese Jews living in incredibly cramped conditions. A family of ten living in one small room was common. Factories were also crowded with poor lighting and terrible ventilation, and were rife with tuberculosis.

Jan van Zutphen “Uncle Jan”

In 1926 Jan van Zutphen, “Uncle Jan”, the Diamond Workers beloved Union leader saw the resale potential of the residual products of diamond processing. He began collecting the copper stalks used to hold the diamonds in place during cutting and polishing. He also discovered a method of removing the impurities from diamond dust. He then sold the copper and diamond dust back to the industry. The money poured in and the union commissioned the Zonnestraal Sanatorium to provide care for stricken workers. 

So what’s needed to change the world? It would seem to require a kind generous heart and a clever mind.

A Castle in the Woods

Kasteel Museum Sypesteyn

Henri Van Sypesteyn

This apparently medieval castle is the result of a young nobleman’s dream to establish a lasting monument to his family name.  Jonkheer Catharinus Henri Cornelis Ascanius van Sypesteyn believed that his ancestral seat had stood on this spot and in 1899 purchased the site and began building a castle to honor his family and house his impressive art and antiquity collections. Sypesteyn is Holland’s youngest castle.

Henri was one of the founders of a genealogical group that traced Dutch royal lineage and has traced his family back to the infamous De Witt Brothers, Johan & Cornelius.

De Witt Brothers

Johan de Witt

When Mrs. de Witt gave birth to her boys in the early 1600s she had no idea how high they would rise or how spectacularly they would fall. Johan ruled Holland for over 20 years opposed to the House of Orange-Nassau, while Cornelius became a powerful Naval officer under Admiral De Ruyter. The brothers became objects of suspicion and hatred thinking them responsible for numerous defeats in 1672, what the Dutch call Rampjaar or the “Year of Disaster”, when the country was surrounded by enemies. Johan  was knifed by a would be assassin on June 21st and returned to the Hague, where his brother Cornelis was being held on made up charges of treason.

Cornelius de Witt

After being tortured Cornelis still refused to confess and was sentenced to exile. Johan walked to the jail to see his brother off when both men were attacked by some of members of the Hague’s civic militia. The brothers were shot and then left to the mob. Their naked, mutilated bodies were strung up on the nearby public gibbet, while the Orangist mob ate  their roasted livers in a cannibalistic frenzy. Despite the horrific scene the mob stayed remarkably disciplined, leaving many to wonder if the event had been planned.

William of Orange removed a federal cavalry detachment, that might have stopped the lynching and refused to prosecute well-known ringleaders like Cornelis Tromp further adding to the suspicion.

Cornelis Tromp

Cornelis Tromp

At home, without fighting to distract him, Cornelis grew bored and became  a heavy drinker, so much so that many inns at the time were named after him. Tromp was an extremely vain man who never hesitated to tell others how important he was. During his life he posed for at least 22 paintings, a record for the 17th century. His family were some of the most fanatical supporters of Orange. Tromp came to regret many of his deeds. He died a troubled drunk, convinced he would go to hell as punishment for his crimes.

His art possessions were displayed in his estate, Trompenburgh, built in the form of a warship.

Trompenburgh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, a little folklore.

Our trusty museum guide explained that this dish depicts what he called a miracle. Apparently a farmer was attacked by a bull. When the farmer’s pregnant wife ran out to assist she was gored by the bull. As she was catapulted into the air the baby was ejected from her torn midsection and landed bruised, but alive on the ground and was quickly retrieved by the neighbor. The parents both died, the baby lived about 9 months and the  distraught villagers put down the bull. The End. 

Now the tour guide spoke very little English and I speak no Dutch what-so-ever, so something may have been lost in translation, but I’ll be damned if I can figure out the moral of this gruesome tale. Even the most fanciful or ridiculous of miracles generally have a point or a message or end on a somewhat positive note.  I’m completely lost here. What is the point? Never go near bulls with pregnant women????