ROYER, Lodewijk

After moving to Amsterdam in 1837, Royer received many public commissions for statues of leading personalities from Dutch history, such as the statues of Rembrandt and Joost van den Vondel in Amsterdam, William the Silent in The Hague and Michiel de Ruyter in Vlissingen.

Michiel de Ruyter (1607-1676) was one of the most famous admirals in Dutch history. He is most famous for his role in the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th century. His victories in the naval battles of the Dutch War of Independence and later during the Anglo-Dutch wars assured his place not only as a national hero, but also as one of the most respected admirals in history.

After moving to Amsterdam in 1837, Royer received many public commissions for statues of leading personalities from Dutch history, such as the statues of Rembrandt and Joost van den Vondel in Amsterdam, William the Silent in The Hague and Michiel de Ruyter in Vlissingen.

Michiel de Ruyter (1607-1676) was one of the most famous admirals in Dutch history. He is most famous for his role in the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th century. His victories in the naval battles of the Dutch War of Independence and later during the Anglo-Dutch wars assured his place not only as a national hero, but also as one of the most respected admirals in history.

The sculptor Lodewijk (Louis) Royer studied in Rome during the years 1823 to 1827. A highpoint of this period was undoubtedly his portrait of Pope Leo XII. Unusually, the pope posed personally for the young artist. This was not only important for Royer’s reputation, but also ensured that the bust was a good likeness.

Lodewijk Royer was born in Flanders but made a career in the Netherlands, where he became court sculptor and director of the Academy in Amsterdam.

After a tug of war between The Hague and Amsterdam over which city would have the honour of receiving Rembrandt’s image in bronze, Rembrandt ended up on the Amsterdam Cheese Market, a corner of the folksy Butter Market. In 1876 he was moved to the centre of the Butter market which was renamed Rembrandt Square.

King William III inaugurated the statue in 1852 in the name of the fatherland.

After moving to Amsterdam in 1837, Royer received many public commissions for statues of leading personalities from Dutch history, such as the statues of Rembrandt and Joost van den Vondel in Amsterdam, William the Silent in The Hague and Michiel de Ruyter in Vlissingen.

William I, Prince of Orange (1533-1584), also widely known as William the Silent or more commonly known as William of Orange, was the main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs that set off the Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648) and resulted in the formal independence of the United Provinces in 1581.