Hildo Krop
Starting out as a pastry chef in Steenwijk, Krop only entered the world of art in 1906. After training and internships, his career gets off to a flying start in 1913 with a prestigious commission for Het Scheepvaarthuis on Amsterdam’s Prins Hendrikkade. Starting in 1916, he had a part-time job with the municipality of Amsterdam for forty years, and so many of his sculptures appeared in the streets that he was awarded the honorary title of city sculptor in 1956. In addition to his work for the municipality, Krop also carries out commissions and free work in his own studio. This increases his visibility both inside and outside his town.
After the horrors of WWI and the Russian Revolution, Krop wanted to make a contribution to society as an artist and bring art to the people. He translated his socially contented message into a figurative, expressive visual language, in line with the international Expressionism in art at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1917, the construction of the southern extension of the city of Amsterdam started, the so-called Plan-Zuid, designed by architect H.P. Berlage. Krop’s sculptures, full of symbolism about a better world for people, animals and nature, can be seen on countless façades and bridges. What about Krop’s ideals one hundred years later? And which subjects demand our attention today?
