Barlaeus Gymnasium

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

Introduction

First municipal GYMNASIUM built in 1884-1885 with the front facade facing the Weteringschans and the rear facade facing the Zieseniskade. From 1927 onwards called 'Barlaeusgymnasium'. Built to a design by architects W. Springer and J.B. Springer in a mixed style of neo-classicism and eclecticism with influences from the neo-Italian Renaissance. The central sculptural group is by sculptor Bart van Hove. The remaining sculptural work is by Emil van den Bossche and Willem Crevels. Originally the building contained, besides a gymnasium hall, 21 other rooms. The rooms were placed on either side of a central corridor. The interior of the school building has been repeatedly modified due to space constraints. The original assembly hall spanning two storeys was separated by an intermediate floor and divided into various rooms.

NB. In 1909 the central wing of the rear facade was provided with an extra storey.

Description

Building on a rectangular ground plan consisting of basement, and three storeys under a truncated saddle roof with a few recessed roofs behind pediments. The rear facade shows in the middle an attic as an extra storey, further two dormer windows with double casement windows and pediments and wooden brace pieces. The front facade has fourteen window bays and is symmetrical and strongly articulated horizontally and vertically with a central projection (2 window bays) and corner projections (3 window bays). The building has a plinth and ground floor of rough-dressed blocks of ashlar as a rusticated zone. The entire facades of the projections are built up in ashlar. The intermediate wings are partly built up in laid red-brown brick. Corner projections have three tall cross windows on the ground floor with, like the other cross windows of the front facade, glazing bars. Both at the bottom and at the top a moulded drip moulding. Above the cordon line the three storeys placed cross windows of the storey. Dividing and flanking half- and quarter-pilasters on basement and with capital, further a broken ashlar balustrade. On the wall surfaces on the right and left side medallions with portraits and decorative foliate scrollwork. Above the dressed main cornice the three cross windows of the second storey with dividing and flanking half- and quarter-pilasters. On the wall surfaces on the right and left side trophies. Dressed main cornice with three festoons on the frieze. Termination of the corner pavilions with pediment with blocking and moulded cornice and portrait medallion and floral ornaments in the tympanum. The central pavilion shows on the ground floor the entrance section in portico and under aedicule with pilasters and pillars with separated drums and basement and flat capital. Small steps lead to a wooden entrance door with semicircular fanlight above heavy calf. Closed off by a pediment above simple frieze. On the ridgeline a bust. On either side of the entrance section a small window in frame with pediment. Above the cordon line the two cross windows of the first storey. Dividing half-pilaster and flanking quarter-pilasters. Stylised palm leaf and garland on the wall surfaces on either side. Above the dressed main cornice is located the second storey with two cross windows and the assembly of pilaster forms. The dividing pilaster is now occupied by a female herme. Trophies on the wall surfaces on either side. Main cornice with cornice on blocks above which attic with text: 'ANNO', 'GYMNASIUM' and '1885'. On the projecting posts of this attic a coat of arms in ornament. On the central part the sculptural group by Bart van Hove. The intermediate wings have three window bays. On the ground floor less pronounced rusticated blocks. Per storey cross windows with glazing bars. On the first and second storey beside ashlar framing of the windows also laid wall parts. Ashlar cordon line, drip mouldings and cassettes. Straight facade termination with main cornice with cornice on blocks. The rear facade of 15 window bays has corner projections of 4 window bays and a central section heightened by the later construction. Facade is laid in brown brick and further shows bat courses and corner and closing stones at the stepped gables. Windows have cross windows and glazing bars. The entrances to the basement are bricked up; further small window openings to this storey. At the transition from corner pavilion to central section the divergent position of the windows indicates the staircase behind. Above this still a small round window. The corner pavilions are terminated with a main cornice with architrave, frieze and cornice on blocks. The central section still shows the architrave and further the white-painted construction with seven arched windows.

Valuation

School building of importance due to its architectural-historical and typological value. Characteristic use of classicist elements intended as a reflection of classical education at the gymnasium. The rich sculptural work also, with a sculptural group by Bart van Hove on the central part, refers to this. Of importance due to its location within the urban planning context of the Weteringschans.