Huis Akerendam

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

MAIN BUILDING: rectangular cellarage in red brick main building on a rectangular ground plan, covered by a hipped roof tiled with grey tiles and topped by two monumental brick chimneys. The classicist house was built around 1640 by the Amsterdam regent Jan Bicker (1591-1653) to the design of an architect whose name has not been preserved. Around 1730, when Akerendam was inhabited by Jean Lucas Pels and his wife Susanna de Wildt, the house was given a new rear facade, which was positioned somewhat further back and built somewhat higher. Centrally, a monumental entrance arrangement surrounded by a moulding carved in Louis XV style was added. At the side facades, the difference in height with respect to the rear facade was bridged by a quarter-circle-shaped brick arch. The new space created at the rear of the house was covered by a hipped roof tiled with red tiles. The rich stucco decorations in Louis XV style in the hall, staircase and dining room date from this period. Around 1800, possibly during the time when Akerendam was in the possession of Mr. Gerrit Hooft, the windows on the front and partly on the side facades were replaced by Empire windows. The two monumental chimneys on the ridge ends of the hipped roof date from the 17th century and consist of a tall cylindrical shaft on a square base with an eight-sided transitional element. The shaft is articulated by two stone bands and is terminated by a pear-shaped wrought-iron crown with weathervane. Front (NW) facade: a facade divided into seven bays with centrally the entrance arrangement consisting of a double wooden door with 2-pane fanlight, which is framed by composite wooden pilasters with capitals with triglyphs and regula with guttae and by a projecting cornice. Before the entrance a five-sided ashlar landing with six steps with wrought-iron balustrades on either side. On the right side of the facade a double wooden cellar hatch. On either side of the entrance arrangement three Empire sash windows with 6-pane glazing. On the first floor seven Empire sash windows with 4-pane glazing. The facade is terminated by a cornice, whose frieze curves upward in an arched manner. The cornice continues to the side facades. Between the window bays a slender vertical panel has been left out of the facade, which extends the full height of the windows at ground level and which on the first floor reaches to eight courses of brick below the cornice. These panels create the impression that the windows are flanked by pilasters, an impression which is further strengthened by the natural stone drip mouldings placed at the level of the undersides of the windows on the bel-etage and first floor and at the level of the topsides of the windows on the bel-etage and by the cornice. On the frieze of the cornice, triglyphs have been placed in line with these apparent pilasters. On the second floor centrally a dormer window with tympanum and simple cheeks with double 6-pane window. On either side a dormer with 4-pane glazing. At the sides of the front facade a brick wall set back slightly, divided by four pilasters into three bays, with an ashlar coping. In the central bay a semicircular wooden door. On a drawing by Jan de Beyer from around 1740, it can be seen that the central bay was originally built higher than the bays on either side. Left facade: a facade section divided into two bays with on the ground floor on the left a 15-pane sash window and on the right an Empire sash window with 6-pane glazing. On the first floor on the left a 9-pane sash window and on the right a blind window. Right side facade: a dormer window with double 6-pane window. Centrally at the facade an extension below with a half-hipped roof tiled with grey tiles with on the front (NE) side a centrally located cellar door with two shutters on either side. At ground level two 6-pane windows and on the first floor a dormer window with 6-pane window above which a clock in wooden hanger. Left side facade: on the ground floor two 6-pane windows. Right side facade: two shutters at cellar level and on the ground floor a double 6-pane window. In the extension there was probably a service dwelling. Rear facade: A facade slightly higher than the other facades, divided into seven bays with a central risalit of three bays, terminated by a monumental cornice. The central bay is emphasized by richly carved moulding in Louis XV style, containing the entrance arrangement and window on the first floor. The entrance arrangement is composed of a door with 12-pane glazing and a 2-pane fanlight and is framed by pilasters with Ionic capitals against rusticated bands and by a cornice; above it a panel with carved scrolls and a rocaille ornament. The window on the first floor is provided with volute-shaped side pieces and a crown of a rocaille ornament. On either side of the entrance arrangement three 15-pane sash windows and on the first floor seven sash windows with 12-pane glazing. At cellar level two windows with 6-pane glazing. Interior: a central hall located on the axis of the house with rich stucco decorations from around 1730 in Louis XV style. On the right side of the hall, just beyond the centre, the staircase with richly stuccoed walls and ceiling in Louis XV style. The balustrade of the main stairs is provided with richly carved spindles in the said style. The fine panelling of the dining room located in the NW corner of the house dates from the same period; the oil-on-canvas wall hangings, which are framed by this panelling and which depict the four seasons surrounded by rococo cartouches, were probably made around 1740. Above the three doors 18th- or early 19th-century overdoors with Italianate views. Centrally on the long SE side of the room the fireplace arrangement with an 18th-century marble fireplace and chimney breast in late Marot style. The ceiling with garlands in stucco in Louis XV style also dates from around 1730. To the northeast of the staircase the current kitchen with on the SE side a 19th- or possibly 17th-century fresco with an architectural view in the manner of Adriaan de Vries. The house has always stood centrally on a rectangular moated place surrounded by red brick retaining walls, rising from the surrounding moat. The place is paved on the front (SE) side with yellow brick, which continues as a brick path on the sides and rear. The bricks are laid on the front in a pattern of two rectangles.