GIANT ...

Rigardus Rijnhout (Rotterdam, 21 april 1922 - Leiden, 13 april 1959) ...

... was because of his height of 229.87 cm (7 feet 6.5 inches) known as the giant of Rotterdam (de reus van Rotterdam). He was the second tallest Dutchman ever, after Albert Jan Kramer. Rigardus Rijnhout's weight was 230 kilo's and his shoesize was 62 (European size). He suffered from acromegaly.

Rigardus Rijnhout died at 36 years of age because of a pituitary tumor, which was also the cause of his enormous size. 4 years prior to his death he became disabled after an accident. Although famous during his lifetime Rigardus Rijnhout was often bullied.

In his native district of the Oude Westen (Old West) is R. Rijnhout Square named after the long Dutchman. Early June 2011, a life-size statue of Rijnhout - made by Herman Lamers - was unveiled in the Oude Westen district in Rotterdam "to keep the legend alive". The 'The Giant of Rotterdam Foundation' says Rijnhout is symbolic both for the growth of Rotterdam and for the "underdog in the city".

In most pictures the Giant is depicted in a lifelike characteristic pose for him in the Gouvernestraat near the house where he grew up and lived all his life. To experience his measures chair and a pair of shoes are made part of the artwork as you can see here.

I wanted to make a different picture, a bit like it was in my imagination ... long ago ... when I heard as child for the first time from the giant man in Rotterdam ... ;)

Sources:
º thetallestman.com/rigardusrijnhout.htm
º wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigardus_Rijnhout