Agnetapark in Delft, a model garden city constructed for workers, stands as a testament to the community-focused initiatives led by Agneta Matthes. Born in Amsterdam in 1847, she operated within the constraints of 19th-century Dutch law, often managing her business ventures under the formal authority of her husband, the industrialist Jacob Cornelis van Marken.
Early Life and Education
Agneta Wilhelmina Johanna Matthes was the daughter of an insurance agent named Jan Willem Frederik Matthes. Raised in upper middle-class surroundings, she received private instruction and attended a boarding school in Utrecht between 1862 and 1864. Upon returning to her home in Amsterdam, she pursued studies in dance, piano, religious instruction, and art.
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Following her marriage to Jacob Cornelis van Marken in 1869, Matthes became deeply involved in the administration of the Nederlandsche Gist & Spiritusfabriek NV. Because Dutch law required married women to have husbandly approval for business transactions, she acted on his behalf while maintaining her own office at the factory. In 1873, she founded a perfume factory called Maison Neuve, which utilized ethanol by-products from the yeast production facility to manufacture goods. She collaborated with the porcelain manufacturer De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles to produce specialized perfume bottles.
Philanthropy and Labour Reform
Matthes and her husband prioritised personnel management and the well-being of their workforce. They implemented a wage system allowing employees to earn bonuses between two and 20 percent of their base salary for performance. This commitment to social welfare extended to housing, resulting in the development of Agnetapark, a project designed to provide high-quality living quarters for workers. The couple also assumed the care of three children born to van Marken and Maria Eringaard following Eringaard’s death in 1889.
Fast facts
- Born: 1847, Amsterdam
- Died: 1909, Delft
- Spouse: Jacob Cornelis van Marken
- Company founded: Maison Neuve
- Primary project: Agnetapark
- Citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands
Questions readers ask
What was Maison Neuve?
It was a perfume factory founded by Agneta Matthes in 1873 that repurposed ethanol by-products from the local yeast industry.
Why was Agnetapark built?
It was constructed as a residential community for workers, serving as a model for the development of garden cities.
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