15 December 2025 will mark exactly 350 years since the death of the famous Delft painter Johannes Vermeer. René Jacobs wants to pay tribute to the artist by creating his own version of “View of Delft”, consisting of 110,851 small dolls. This is the same number of residents that Delft will have on that day.
Connection
The artwork will consist of 16 panels (measuring 210 x 253 cm in total) and will be displayed on the second floor of the Vermeer Centrum Delft. What makes this artwork special is that the figurines will not only be placed by René Jacobs himself, but by as many residents of Delft as possible. To achieve this, René Jacobs is not only inviting the residents of Delft to stick their own figurine in his gallery on Nieuwe Langendijk, but he will also regularly visit other locations in the city, where everyone is invited to stick a figurine. Recently, the artist was present at OWEE Week, at the last council meeting of the municipality of Delft, at Stadsradio Delft, at Werkse! and on Sunday 31 August, around 350 residents stuck their dolls on the Market Square in Delft during the farewell of Mayor Marja van Bijsterveldt.
What is the current status?
René Jacobs now estimates that around 70-75% of the figures have been stuck on. That means that around 30,000 figures still need to be stuck on. He is on schedule, although the most difficult part of “View of Delft” now has to be realised. The houses and the quay contain much more detail than the cloudy sky, so this part of the painting also requires more time.
Will you stick your figure too?
In the coming period, artist René Jacobs can be found with the artwork at the locations below.
Public sticking moments:
Maria van Jesse Church - Thursday 4 September 2025
DHC Football Club - Thursday 11 September 2025 | DHC (Brasserskade Sportring 2)
VVV Delft - Wednesday 1 October 2025 | Huis van Delft (Houttuinen, Delft - next to the station)
Theater de Veste - 11 October 2025 (performance by Jandino)
Cultuurbarbaren - Thursday 23 October 2025 | Vermeer Centrum Delft
Elections - Wednesday 29 October 2025 | polling station at Stichting Stunt (Vulcanusweg 307, Delft)
If these times are not convenient, you are always welcome at Galerie Art Jacobs:
Galerie Art Jacobs - every Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., you are welcome to plan your doll | Galerie Art Jacobs, Nieuwe Langendijk 10 in Delft.
Unveiling
On 12 December, the artwork “Wij zijn Delft” (We are Delft) will be unveiled at the Vermeer Centrum Delft. More information will follow at a later date.
