Weber, Bernardus

First name: 
Bernardus
Initials: 
B.M.A.
Surname: 
Weber
Year of birth: 
1912
Birthplace: 
Tilburg
Country of birth: 
The Netherlands
Working period: 
1946
Year of death: 
1996
CV: 

Ben (Bernardus Matheus Anthonius) Weber is born on March 29, 1912 in Tilburg in the Netherlands. He follows a study at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and after one year at the Arts and Crafts School in Den Bosch. He married Johanna Cornelia Craanen. Weber shows up in Apeldoorn immediately after World War II. He lives here from 1946 to 1953. He is already 34 years. The war has definitely influenced his career. Here he initially works as an apprentice to Johannes Henricus Andrée. And in seven years time one can learn to become a good thrower. Weber must have been an assistent of the aging Hein Andrée. He makes mainly ecclesiastical utensils. He is a sculptor, draughtsman, painter and pastellist. On August 4, 1953 he leaves for Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles California. Here he is lecturer and later professor at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles. He retires from the University in 1983. In 1977 he becomes a Knight in the Dutch Orde of Orange-Nassau. This attribution has probably to do with the fact that Queen Wilhelmina has been an important client of him. In 1986, on the campus of the Californian Lutheran University, a huge abstract statue of Luther was installed. This statue was designed by Bernard Weber and partly carried out by his pupil David Paul DeMars (information received from Donald DeMars, 20160723). Weber died in the Camarillo Hospital (LA) on October 23, 1996. In his household numerous of casting molds were found, which he has taken from the Netherlands at that time.

Pictures: Portrait 1985 (courtesy Donald DeMars); Ben Weber with students / representatives of the Luther Statue committee, 1986; Luther statue, 1986; small vase (source Peerdeman Auctions, Utrecht, spring 2012); tile with skating child (source Derksen Auctionhouse, Arnhem, 2011); A mold for the tile with the skating boy (collection David Paul DeMars, California); signature (source Marcel Modderkolk, with thanks). 

Bibliography: 
  • Spruit-Ledeboer, Mieke G., Nederlandse Keramiek 1900-1975, 1976.