L. O. Wenckebach facts for kids

Quick facts for kids L. O. Wenckebach
Oswald Wenckebach (around 1913)
Born	Ludwig Oswald Wenckebach (1895-06-16)16 June 1895 Heerlen
Died	3 November 1962(1962-11-03) (aged 67) Noordwijkerhout
Nationality	Dutch
Known for	Sculpture, Painting

Ludwig Oswald Wenckebach (born June 16, 1895, in Heerlen – died November 3, 1962, in Noordwijkerhout) was a very important Dutch artist. He was famous for creating sculptures, painting beautiful pictures, and even designing coins. He was the son of a well-known doctor, Karel Frederik Wenckebach. His uncle, Willem Wenckebach, was also an artist and taught him a lot.

Oswald Wenckebach first started as a painter. But around 1920, he decided to focus more on sculpting. He became very well-known for making many monuments that remember important events like wars. He also designed the coins used in the Netherlands for many years, from 1948 to 1980.

Life of Oswald Wenckebach

Oswald Wenckebach was born in Heerlen, a town in the Netherlands. He grew up in a family that loved art and learning. His father was a famous doctor, and his uncle was a graphic designer and painter. This artistic background helped him discover his own talents.

Early Artistic Journey

When he was young, Oswald began to explore painting. He learned a lot from his uncle, who was already an established artist. This early training gave him a strong foundation in art.

Switch to Sculpting

Even though he started with painting, Oswald found a special connection with sculpting. By 1920, he decided to make sculpting his main focus. This change allowed him to create large, lasting artworks.

Wenckebach's Famous Artworks

Oswald Wenckebach created many impressive pieces during his life. His sculptures can be found in different cities across the Netherlands. They often tell stories or honor important people and events.

War Monuments

Many of Wenckebach's most famous works are war monuments. These sculptures help people remember the bravery and sacrifices made during wars. They stand as symbols of peace and remembrance.

For example, he created a sculpture called Sint-Joris en de draak (Saint George and the Dragon) in Groningen. This monument is a powerful reminder of the provincial war.

Public Sculptures

Wenckebach also made many sculptures for public spaces. These artworks often show people or animals in interesting ways. They add beauty and meaning to cities.

Some of his well-known public sculptures include:

• Monsieur Jacques in Rotterdam.
• Three acrobats in Gouda.
• A statue of Anton Philips in Eindhoven.

Coin Designs

One of Wenckebach's most lasting contributions was designing the coins for the Netherlands. From 1948 until 1980, many Dutch coins featured his designs. This means millions of people used his art every day.

He designed the images of the Dutch monarchs on these coins. His work helped shape the look of money for a whole generation.

Images for kids

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  Anton Philips, Eindhoven

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  Three acrobats (1966), Gouda

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  Monsieur Jacques (1956), Rotterdam

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  Hope & Sorrow, Gortergebouw Leiden

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  Cornelis Joppenszoon (1961), Leiden

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  Sint-Joris en de draak (Groningen) provincial war monument.

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  Detail of Sint-Joris en de draak (Groningen) provincial war monument.

External links

• Oswald Wenckebach at the Netherlands Institute for Art History. You can find more details about his works here.