Dom Hans van der Laan Bench

This exceptional high-back bench, crafted from oak, is a rare example of furniture by Dutch Benedictine monk Dom Hans van der Laan—a material he seldom used. Notably, this piece also omits the copper nails typically associated with his work, further underscoring its unique character.

Commissioned for the Willibrordkerk in Almelo, the bench was part of a comprehensive architectural and liturgical project guided by the principles of the Plastic Number, a proportional system developed by van der Laan. The church itself was designed by Jan de Jong, a close collaborator and fellow adherent of the Bossche School. Despite being considered one of the finest examples of Dutch modernist ecclesiastical architecture, the church was regrettably demolished in 2005 during a wave of church closures. Among the preserved elements were two monumental friezes by Igor Strawinsky (1907–1989), son of the composer Igor Stravinsky, who maintained a close friendship with van der Laan and shared his deep commitment to sacred art.

Provenance: St. Willibrord’s Church, Almelo, Netherlands

Designer Dom Hans van der Laan
Description Bench
Date 1960s
Origin Netherlands
Dimensions 148 x 114,5 x x 61,5 cm

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