Ontwerpen voor een wandschildering in het stadhuis te Den Bosch c. 1889 - 1891

Antoon Derkinderen sketched these designs for a mural in the city hall of Den Bosch; however, the exact date of their creation remains unknown. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, artists were often tasked with creating works that reinforced civic pride and national identity, a practice rooted in the belief that public art should serve a didactic purpose. Derkinderen, working within this framework, would have been deeply aware of his role in shaping collective memory and cultural values. The mural designs reflect a desire to connect the city’s historical narrative with its contemporary identity, likely incorporating religious and civic symbolism. The representation of figures—perhaps saints or allegorical representations—within architectural elements suggests an attempt to ground abstract ideals in the tangible reality of the city. Consider, if you will, how Derkinderen’s choices to represent or reimagine such symbols speak to the prevailing notions of Dutch identity at the time. This piece encourages us to reflect on the role art plays in constructing and negotiating identity, both on a personal and societal level.