TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Stained Glass Windows Nuenen Town Hall

Four stained glass windows in the Town Hall in Nuenen, designed by the glazier Hugo Brouwer in 1950.
After the war, the work of art was donated by a group of repatriates. These war victims were given the opportunity to catch their breath in the village before returning to their hometown, which they had fled from the enemy.

The Nuenen artist Hugo Brouwer was commissioned to initially make three windows for the then town hall on the Berg. In 1953 the windows were moved to the current town hall on Papenvoort. And because there was more space in the stairwell of the old municipal villa, the artist made a fourth window.

The windows depict the hardships, cause, safety and bliss endured by those affected. Each window has a skylight with a striking building from the municipality of Nuenen on it, these are respectively; Clemenskerk in Gerwen, Priory in Hooidonk, Pastorie v Gogh in Nuenen and the reformed church in Nuenen.

In the 2nd window, a script role is included in the image with the text:

"Offered by repatriates, as a thank you for the ones shown
hospitality upon their return from Germany, to the Citizens of Nuenen c.a. April-June 1945"

At the moment these 4 windows are housed in the attic of the town hall because of the long-term ongoing renovation of the property. They may later return to another location in the village.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

  • Text: Geert-Jan van Glabbeek
  • Photos: Geert-Jan van Glabbeek