The artist Ivo Coljé (1951) from The Hague made the famous sculpture ‘Jantje’ that adorns the Lange Vijverberg in The Hague. Ivo Coljé studied at the Royal Academy of Art in the sixties and then went on to further develop his talent at the Free Academy in The Hague. Here, the renowned artist Jan Snoeck from The Hague became his source of inspiration and under his guidance Coljé was always experimenting. He made sculptures of steel and iron, conversely the execution of Jantje in bronze was actually an exception. The young Coljé, just 25 years old, designed a literal interpretation of Jantje as is sketched in the children’s rhyme: with a basket on his arm, a feather in his cap and pointing with his hand. According to Coljé the strength of the sculpture lies in the simple, uninhibited implementation of the child. The round shape of his hat is encountered in the basket and because of all the diverse elements the sculpture forms a whole. It is the power and simplicity of his design that clarifies the fact that Jantje has proved to be a timeless monument. Especially for Smelik & Stokking Galleries 40th anniversary Coljé has produced a replica of his famous sculpture. During the jubilee Smelik & Stokking is adding it as a present to every purchase over one thousand Euros.
Education: Royal Academy of Art, The Hague; Free Academy, The Hague
