Stunning Decorations
The floor tiles from the Willibrordus Church outside the Veste shine with their shape, color, and design. The exhibition “The Wavy Line” features beautiful decorations by Pierre Cuypers, his contemporaries, and Christie van der Haak.
Decorations span all eras and cultures. Designers use patterns to embellish, to enhance the experience, and to draw people into their world. Many of Cuypers’ decorative elements can also be admired in the permanent exhibition at the Cuypershuis, such as the floor tiles from the Willibrordus Church.
The Willibrordus Church was built between 1864 and 1923 outside the Veste in Amsterdam. Pierre Cuypers included no fewer than seven towers in his design: a church with the grandeur of a cathedral. Although only one tower was actually built due to cost constraints, this church remains a striking landmark in the city. The interior is also impressive.
In 1970–71, the church was demolished because it had fallen into disrepair. Parts of the furnishings and architectural fragments were sold. And so, elements from this church eventually found their way into our collection as a donation.
The floor tiles from the Willibrordus Church outside the Veste are stunning in their shape, color, and design. Leaf motifs, star shapes, flowers, circles, and wavy lines: the closer you look, the more you see! They are striking examples of how Cuypers incorporated decorations into his buildings, transforming them into a total work of art.
The floor tiles are on display in the “Churches” section of the Cuypershuis. Even more decorative elements from the same church are featured in the exhibition *The Wavy Line*.
