Bread for the Future. Coöperatieve Productie- en Verbruiksvereeniging 'De Toekomst', Taco Mesdagplein 7, Groningen, The Netherlands
In August 1888 Ferdinand Jacobus Domela Nieuwenhuis (1846-1919), famous Dutch socialist politician, social anarchist and anti-militarist, in Groningen inaugurated the Cooperative Socialist Union 'De Toekomst' (=the Future). The original building was soon too small and a new one was commissioned for the Taco Mesdagplein where it arose in 1913. 'De Toekomst' was primarily a bakers' organisation (groninganus.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/de-toekomst-taco-mes...).
The set of sculpted figures gracing the gateway is by Arie Marinus van der Lee (1872-1959). It portrays social idealism. The two main figures symbolise (left) agriculture with a spade and (right) industry with a sledgehammer. The over-arching frieze shows the idealised world of socialist utopia with centrally two men clasping hands over a rising Sun.
Bread for the Future. Coöperatieve Productie- en Verbruiksvereeniging 'De Toekomst', Taco Mesdagplein 7, Groningen, The Netherlands
In August 1888 Ferdinand Jacobus Domela Nieuwenhuis (1846-1919), famous Dutch socialist politician, social anarchist and anti-militarist, in Groningen inaugurated the Cooperative Socialist Union 'De Toekomst' (=the Future). The original building was soon too small and a new one was commissioned for the Taco Mesdagplein where it arose in 1913. 'De Toekomst' was primarily a bakers' organisation (groninganus.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/de-toekomst-taco-mes...).
The set of sculpted figures gracing the gateway is by Arie Marinus van der Lee (1872-1959). It portrays social idealism. The two main figures symbolise (left) agriculture with a spade and (right) industry with a sledgehammer. The over-arching frieze shows the idealised world of socialist utopia with centrally two men clasping hands over a rising Sun.