Victor de Stuers (1843 - 1916). Marble T. Dupuis, 1914. Maastricht jonkheer De Stuers was a Catholic. He studied Law at Leiden. There he developed an interest in Holland's culture and history as a nation. In 1873 he published a now famous article in De Gids, 'Holland at its narrowest', lambasting the general lack of respect for the country's cultural heritage. Shortly after, he was invited to become a referendary at the Ministry of Home Affairs as head of the new department of Arts and Sciences. There the rather high-handed De Stuers did much to ensure the preservation of historical buildings, museums and archives. Together with architect P.J.H. Cuypers he was the driving force behind the plans to build the Rijksmuseum. De Stuers was elected to Parliament in 1901. There he proved a vigorous opponent of the Dutch government's Atjeh policies.