Rebels with a modernist cause

摘要

The clash of ideologies which so typified the period between the two world wars did not spare Technische Hqgeschool Delft (TH Delft - the forerunner of today's TU Delft). The central figure was Professor Marinus Jan (Rien) Granpre Moliere, the 'godfather' of the Delft School, which regarded Traditionalism as superior to all other architectural styles. Soon after his appointment as professor in 1924, he converted to Catholicism. Granpre Moliere preached a 'true art' which must bear witness to God's plan. He dismissed modern art forms as 'passing heresy'. He pointed to mediaeval society, which he held up as the ideal Christian community. In his view, the degeneration of the arts had begun with the Renaissance, when attention turned to people andrnhumanism.