Frog with Umbrella, Hague

Frog with Umbrella, Hague

The sculpture "Frog with Umbrella" in The Hague is a vibrant testament to Karel Appel's artistic talent, a key figure in the Cobra art movement. This movement, active in the late 1940s and early 1950s, emphasized artistic freedom and experimentation, drawing inspiration from spontaneous, childlike drawings. Appel, famous for his expressive painting, also ventured into sculpture using the 'objets trouvés' technique, creating art from found objects, often incorporating elements from different cultures.

The original "Frog with Umbrella" sculpture, crafted in wood in 1993, underwent a significant transformation in 2001 to celebrate Appel's 80th birthday. The Foundation 750 Years of The Hague presented this reimagined piece as a gift to the city council. On this occasion, the sculpture was recreated in bronze on a larger scale. Sculptor André Kruysen played a pivotal role in reshaping the sculpture after the casting process to ensure it faithfully replicated the original's surface.

Dutch visual artist Peter Struycken made a noteworthy contribution by applying vibrant painted colors, following Appel's original design, which adds a dynamic visual appeal to the sculpture. Special extra-hard lacquers were developed specifically for this sculpture to ensure the preservation of its vivid hues.

Positioned prominently on an oversized oval pedestal, "Frog with Umbrella" stands out as the centerpiece of the sculpture gallery located at the intersection of Spui, Grote Marktstraat, and Kalvermarkt. This location juxtaposes the sculpture's rich color palette, characteristic of Appel's style, against the stark white architecture of Richard Meyer's town hall and library, highlighting the distinctive artistic identity of Appel in contrast to Meyer's signature aesthetic.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Hague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Frog with Umbrella on Map

Sight Name: Frog with Umbrella
Sight Location: Hague, Netherlands (See walking tours in Hague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Hague, Netherlands

Create Your Own Walk in Hague

Create Your Own Walk in Hague

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles