Bust of Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater - Middenbeemster

The bust of Leeghwater in Middenbeemster is the work of Daniël Cornelis (Niel) Steenbergen (1911-1997), a sculptor, medallist, draughtsman and goldsmith. Steenbergen studied at the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten (National Academy of Visual Arts) in Amsterdam. The bust of the man from De Rijp was his first commission.

The bust was placed in front of Het Heerenhuis, a monumental building from 1826 that stands on the site of the original town hall of Middenbeemster (1640). The unveiling took place in 1937, a time when the Netherlands was once again embracing its Golden Age and engineering. Leeghwater was increasingly presented during that period as the figurehead of the Dutch fight against the water. But to what extent is this reputation justified and does it warrant the busts and plaques in his honour and the naming of 61 streets and 2 pumping stations?

Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater is often praised as the man who single-handedly realised the great land reclamation projects of the 17th century. In reality, he was a skilled overseer and millwright, but never a leading engineer. He participated in various projects, but his influence was later greatly exaggerated. His Haarlemmermeerboeck (1641) made him famous, but it contained a technically and financially unrealistic plan. In the 19th century, when the Haarlemmermeer was finally reclaimed, the need arose for a recognisable face for Dutch hydraulic engineering – and so Leeghwater grew to become a mythical icon, greater than his actual role would warrant.

Photo unveiling: National Archives
Lithograph Leeghwater: H.J. Backer via Stadsarchief Amsterdam.
Photo plaque: Stadsarchief Amsterdam