Buste van dr. Eliza Laurillard (1830-1908), dominee en schrijver en twee sokkels 1894

Arend Willem Maurits Odé sculpted this marble bust of Dr. Eliza Laurillard, a Dutch minister and writer, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Busts like these were often commissioned by civic institutions or wealthy families to commemorate important figures. In this case, Laurillard's prominent role as a theologian and man of letters clearly made him worthy of such commemoration. Notice the formal attire, the bow tie, and the medal of honor. These details speak to Laurillard's status and the values of the society that esteemed him. To understand this piece fully, we might delve into archives of Dutch religious institutions and literary societies of the time. Examining Odé's other works and commissions would further illuminate the artistic and social networks that supported such commemorative art. The meaning of art is always enriched by the social and institutional contexts in which it was produced.