Kröller-Müllermuseum

English translation

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Description

Introduction

ENTRANCE GATE to the Hoge Veluwe estate, designed in 1920 by A.J. Kropholler. The gate forms one of the main entrances to the park at the gatekeeper's lodge at Houtkampweg 11 in Otterlo.

From 1909 onwards, the Hoge Veluwe estate was created through the purchase and consolidation of land by the Rotterdam industrialist couple Helene Müller (1869-1939) and Anthony G. Kröller (1862-1941). The old public roads that ran across the land were closed and rerouted at Kröller's expense. The newly created estate, comprising some 6800 hectares, was enclosed with fencing. This new country seat, created by the couple, primarily served as a hunting ground and country residence for the family and their guests. A farm was also operated on the estate. In addition, the artistic ideal envisioned by Helene Müller was realised within the Hoge Veluwe. The grounds were laid out at her behest with architecture and works of art, which were each in their own way to demonstrate the unity of art and nature that she advocated. Finally, a large museum building was to be constructed on the grounds to house Mrs Kröller's art collection.

In order to develop the estate, the couple engaged various architects. Buildings were actually constructed on the estate by H.P. BERLAGE, the Belgian HENRY VAN DE VELDE and A.J. KROPHOLLER. The sculptural works to be included in the complex are by sculptors J. MENDES DA COSTA and JOHN RAEDECKER.

Following the economic crisis, the management of the estate was transferred to the Stichting Kröller-Müller in 1928. In 1935, the Stichting Het Nationale Park de Hoge Veluwe was established.

The estate is bounded by fencing stretching for kilometres, with monumental ENTRANCE GATES at important locations. The entrance gates are all designed in a comparable manner, with minor variations, according to Kropholler's designs from 1920. In addition to containing game, the gates and fencing expressed the couple's view of their acquired territory as a single unit and their self-perception as major landowners. There were plans to establish small settlements at the entrances. Although this hardly came to fruition, such an arrangement is present in embryonic form at the entrance on Harskampweg and at the service entrance on Apeldoornseweg.

Description

ENTRANCE GATEWORK consisting of two swing gates between square piers built in brick and covered with a tent-shaped natural stone coping. Carved into it the inscription "Hooge" (left) and "Veluwe" (right). The swing gates consist of narrow, projecting iron stiles with lower wings. The stiles are decoratively worked and are attached to the brick piers with bands. The wings are composed of vertical and diagonal bars with decorative finishing at the top. Protective irons are attached to the piers.

Valuation

ENTRANCE GATE on Houtkampweg from 1920 designed by Kropholler

- Of architectural-historical value as a sound and good typological example of an entrance gate from the nineteen-twenties. The gatework forms part of a series of monumental gates in the fencing of the Hoge Veluwe estate, which are designed in a comparable manner, with brick piers and decorative wrought iron gatework.

- Of urban design value as an integral part of the enclosure of the Hoge Veluwe estate, where monumental entrance gates at important points mark the accesses to the estate.

- Of cultural-historical value as part of the Hoge Veluwe estate which was consolidated and developed from 1909 onwards by the couple Kröller-Müller.