The sculpture Antlers by Rädecker was originally intended as a plaque for St Hubertus hunting lodge. The stone, however, is never incorporated into the façade of the hunting lodge. Instead, the 1929-design is given a permanent place in the nature around the museum, as an autonomous sculpture, where it marks the line of sight to the highest point on the Franse Berg.
While visiting Rädecker, Helene brings several deer antlers for him to use as an example. ‘I went there to show Rädecker and his wife the deer antlers.’ Ultimately, Rädecker uses antlers from a deer shot by Prince Hendrik in the park as his model.
Antlers by John Rädecker at the lane to the Franse Berg upon which Helene wanted to place a large cross.
Symbolism
On the peak of the Franse Berg, Helene planned to install a large cross to thus give form to her vision. The antlers would represent the world of matter, while the cross on the hill symbolised the realm of the spiritual that prevailed on the estate. The work as a whole would be infused with the symbolism of her motto ‘spiritus et materia unum’.