In the serene and picturesque landscape of Tubbergen, a small town in the Dutch province of Overijssel, stands a monument of profound historical significance and artistic grandeur: the Standbeeld van Dr. Schaepman. This towering statue, dedicated to the memory of Herman Schaepman, a prominent figure in the Catholic emancipation movement, commands attention and admiration from all who visit.
Hermanus Johannes Aloysius Maria Schaepman, born in Tubbergen in 1844, was not just a Catholic priest but also a theologian, poet, and a pioneering politician. He was the first Catholic priest to become a member of the Dutch House of Representatives, where he fervently advocated for the rights and emancipation of Catholics in the Netherlands. His contributions were so significant that Pope Leo XIII appointed him as an apostolic protonotary in 1902, a testament to his influence and dedication.
Following his death in 1903, a movement to honor his legacy began to take shape. Initially, a monument designed by Pierre Cuypers was unveiled in 1908 at the Groot-seminarie Rijsenburg in Driebergen, where Schaepman had both studied and taught. However, the desire to commemorate him in his birthplace led to the creation of the statue that now stands proudly in Tubbergen.
The journey to erect the Standbeeld van Dr. Schaepman in Tubbergen was a meticulous and heartfelt endeavor. In 1909, the Catholic propaganda club De Jonge Garde from Almelo initiated the project, and by 1913, a committee was formed under the leadership of Mayor L.P.J. ten Holder. The project received a significant boost in 1917 with a bequest of 30,000 guilders from Pastor E. Geerdink, a close friend of Schaepman, with the stipulation that the statue be more than life-sized and situated on the Tubberger Es.
After acquiring the necessary land in 1924, a competition was held in 1925 to select a design for the statue. Out of eleven submissions, the design titled Staatsman by August Falise was chosen. The statue, cast at the Fonderie Nationale des Bronzes in Brussels, was unveiled on August 11, 1927, by Mgr. Nolens, a member of the Dutch House of Representatives. The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including the Speaker of the House and former Prime Minister Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck and Pastor Waanders, the honorary chairman of the Schaepman committee.
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The bronze statue stands at an impressive height, depicting Schaepman in a soutane and mantle, with his right hand clenched and his left hand holding a bundle of papers. The detailed craftsmanship of the statue is evident in the medals adorning his chest, representing the honors he received during his lifetime.
The statue rests on a four-meter-high granite pedestal, crafted by the natural stone company P.J.M. van Stokkum in Rotterdam. The pedestal features three relief shields: the front displays a quill and Schaepman's motto credo, pugno (I believe, I fight), the left side bears the coat of arms of the House of Representatives and the year 1880, and the right side showcases Schaepman's own coat of arms under a prelate's hat with six hanging tassels on each side and the year 1902. An inscription on the back of the pedestal reads, DANKBARE HULDE VAN KATHOLIEK NEDERLAND (Grateful Tribute from Catholic Netherlands).
The monument is strategically placed on a broad plateau at the highest point of the Tubberger Es, offering a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can reach the statue via a three-meter-high and 23-meter-wide staircase from the Almeloseweg. The location, at the intersection of the Almeloseweg, the Huyerenseweg, and the Tubbergeresweg, ensures that the statue is visible from afar, symbolizing Schaepman's far-reaching influence.
The statue's orientation allows it to gaze almost directly south over the Almeloseweg, slightly southeast, towards the Doctor Schaepmanstraat, which aligns with the Eeshof approximately 900 meters away. The Eeshof, Schaepman's birthplace, has been repurposed over the years and currently serves as a residential care center, continuing to embody Schaepman's ideals.
In 1997, the Standbeeld van Dr. Schaepman was designated as a national monument, recognized for its cultural, architectural, and urban significance. It stands as a testament to Schaepman's pivotal role in the Catholic emancipation movement, a typologically important example of a freestanding statue, and a valuable piece of art within August Falise's oeuvre. Its pristine condition and rarity further enhance its historical value.
For visitors to Tubbergen, the Standbeeld van Dr. Schaepman is not just a statue; it is a compelling narrative of a man who fought tirelessly for his beliefs and the rights of his community. It is a beacon of inspiration and a reminder of the enduring legacy of Herman Schaepman.
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