Kunstbewaarplaats, Houtkampweg bij 6

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

Underground ART STORAGE VAULT built in autumn 1939 at the commission of the Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller in the Nationaal Park de Hoge Veluwe according to the technical design of dr. ir. JAN EMMEN (head of the technical bureau of the Rijksgebouwendienst) and his assistant HENDRIK J.J. ENGEL, with probable involvement of state architect G.C. BREMER. The art collection of the Kröller-Müller was stored in this second State repository between 22 July 1940 and 5 October 1945. Due to the threat posed by the construction of Deelen airfield in 1940, the sand covering was heightened. The entrance was built up in brick in 1943.

Description.

The underground ART STORAGE VAULT (210m3) is a rectangular concrete construction consisting of walls 1.20m thick, ceiling 1.50m and floor 0.80m, which is completely covered with sand and earth. Initially the art storage vault was covered with a sand covering of three metres, which was subsequently heightened for safety reasons to seven and a half metres with a layer of natural stone sixty centimetres thick between them. The entrance consists of a brick tunnel, which is introduced by low-built masonry jambs and plinth walls. On the arch panel executed in ornamental brickwork above the door is depicted the emblem (a cross in a stag's antlers) of the Hoge Veluwe, a design by Henry Van de Velde which is also displayed among other places in the north gable of the museum. The emblem is surrounded by two text bands: (ne martis fauces artis monumenta vorarent - haec cella ante annos condita bis geminos) and (nunc crescente furore dei cui proelia curae - teciaque harenae alto subditaque est tumulo). A translation of this text from 1946 reads: "To prevent the throat of Mars from devouring monuments of Art, this cellar, founded for twice two years, is now, as the wrath of the god increases, he to whom battles are a concern, covered and placed beneath a high sand mound".

Valuation

Underground ART STORAGE VAULT built in 1939 according to the technical design of dr. ir. J. EMMEN and his assistant J.J. ENGEL, possibly with the involvement of G.C. BREMER at the commission of the Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller in the Nationaal Park de Hoge Veluwe.

- Of architectural historical value - as second state repository for the storage of art treasures and as first underground state shelter vault; - by reason of the construction as underground concrete cellar covered by a sand covering of three metres, after 1940 due to the construction of Deelen airfield heightened for safety reasons to seven and a half metres with a layer of natural stone between them; - as art storage vault at the commission of the state museum Kröller-Müller with an entrance realised after 1940 in brick probably also designed by state architect G.C. Bremer and making use of the emblem designed by Henry van de Velde which is also displayed among other things in the north gable of the museum;

- Of urban planning value as functional component of the estate De Hoge Veluwe, where it plays an important role in determining the visual character and is important for maintaining the historical context of the estate.

- Of cultural historical value as part of the estate De Hoge Veluwe, which from 1909 was acquired and arranged by the married couple Kröller-Müller.