Portrait of Theo Bouwmeester

Person depicted Theo Bouwmeester (1850-1939)
Role Marguerite Gauthier (Alexandre Dumas fils)
Artist J. Bronner (1881-1972)
Medium Bronze cast
Year 1955

Theodora Bouwmeester was the grande dame of the Amsterdam Stadsschouwburg. In thirty-five years with the Koninklijke Vereeniging Het Nederlandsch Tooneel, Theo — also known by the names of her husbands Mann, Brondgeest and Frenkel — played every role of consequence. Just how dear the title role of Marguerite Gauthier was to her became clear when her will stipulated that she wished to be buried in that costume. In the Koninklijke Foyer she can be seen wearing it. Theo Bouwmeester also appears in a portrait by Bart Peizel showing her royal decoration, and as a sculpture by J. Bronner in the same role of Marguerite Gauthier. She gave her name to the foremost Dutch theatre awards and is commemorated on the cartouche of one of the boxes in the Main Auditorium (Grote Zaal).

Bronzen buste van een vrouw met het hoofd opgeheven en de ogen gesloten, met een ruw bewerkt oppervlak en een breed uitlopende borstpartij, op een lichte sokkel.
© Collectie Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam