Portrait of a Young Architect
This plaster cast of a round keystone clearly illustrates Cuypers’ approach to his work.
March 3, 2021, marks the 100th anniversary of the death of architect Pierre Cuypers. That day brought an end to this famous architect’s long career. The year 2021 has therefore been designated “Cuypers Year,” during which we will take a special moment to reflect on Cuypers’ body of work and all that he accomplished. One object that beautifully represents his work is this plaster cast of a round keystone depicting the young Cuypers. He is portrayed on the stone as an architect holding a compass in his hand. The compass is the symbol of the architectural profession.
Cuypers drew inspiration from the Middle Ages in his architectural and artistic views. As an architect, he was not only responsible for the building’s design but also oversaw the entire project, including the interior design, for which he undoubtedly used the compass.
The keystone is set at the top center of the first vault bay of St. Martin’s Church in Maastricht (in Wyck). This church was built in 1858 according to a design by Pierre Cuypers, and with the keystone, he literally left his signature there.
He did this on other occasions as well. Portraits of him, for example, are also incorporated into the Rijksmuseum, the Rolduc Abbey Church, De Haar Castle, and the Munster Church in Roermond. In this way, he continues to this day to cast a glance at the work of which he was proud!
In the permanent exhibition of the Cuypershuis, the plaster cast of the keystone is on display next to the detailed wooden model of St. Martin’s Church in the “Churches” section.
