Perhaps, these figures tell a silent story. Here, at President Brandstraat 334-338 stands Daarom moet ik wenen. It is a war memorial, a poignant reminder of a dark chapter in Amsterdam’s history.
Daarom moet ik wenen translates to “Therefore I must weep”. This monument is also known as Uittocht der Joden meaning Exodus of the Jews. Created by Wessel Couzijn in 1950, Daarom moet ik wenen depicts a family. It shows a man, woman, and child. They stand on a sloping pedestal. The woman holds the child’s hand.
This artwork serves as a powerful reminder. It commemorates the deportation of Jews from this neighborhood. It especially remembers those who lived in this very building. During World War II, the original building was stripped of its woodwork. Only the stone shell remained. It was decided to demolish the structure and construct a new one.
After the war, artists could petition the city to display their works. This process often involved the city architect. In this case, it was W. De Bruin of Woningbedrijf Amsterdam. Couzijn’s creation found its place here.
The base of Daarom moet ik wenen bears a Hebrew inscription. It quotes from the Lamentations of Jeremiah. The text translates to “Therefore I must weep” or “I cry for you all”.
Ben Guntenaar, a colleague of Couzijn, considered Daarom moet ik wenen a touching piece. He felt it deserved a more prominent location. Yet, he acknowledged the importance of its placement. He said, “It is good that it is in this street and not somewhere else”.
After renovations in the early 21st century, Daarom moet ik wenen was placed above the doorway of numbers 334-338.
Wessel Couzijn’s personal history adds depth to Daarom moet ik wenen. As a Jewish artist, creating this memorial likely held deep emotional significance for him. The monument is one of his few stone sculptures. Couzijn endured childhood polio. Carving stone was a significant challenge for him. Despite this, he created a lasting tribute.
Couzijn is best known for his abstract sculptures. Examples include the National Monument for the Merchant Navy in Rotterdam. He also created the Merchant Navy Monument in Vlissingen.
As a teenager, Couzijn studied at the Art Students League in New York. Later, he trained under Professor Jan Bronner at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam. In 1936, he won the Prix de Rome. This allowed him to study briefly at the Académie Ronson in Paris.
In 1940, he fled the impending war to New York. There, he met his wife, Pearl Perlmutter. She was a sculptor at Ossip Zadkine’s studio. After returning to the Netherlands, Couzijn taught at the Kunstnijverheidschool, later the Gerrit Rietveldacademie. He was also a board member of the Dutch Circle of Sculptors. In 1959, he founded Groep Amsterdam.
Daarom moet ik wenen serves as a reminder. It is a cultural and historical landmark. It honors the Jews deported from the Transvaal neighborhood by the Nazis. Couzijn’s work extends elsewhere in Amsterdam. His sculpture “Groot Landschap” stands in the Sloterpark. The Stedelijk Museum also holds several of his pieces.
Notice the statue’s placement. Daarom moet ik wenen stands in a wedge-shaped niche. It is rotated to enhance visibility from the intersection. This thoughtful design amplifies its impact. The sculpture supports the building’s narrative.
As you stand before Daarom moet ik wenen, consider its layers of meaning. It is a personal expression of grief. It is also a collective remembrance of loss. It is a powerful statement against injustice. This monument ensures that we never forget.