Mauritshuis - Shifting Image - In search of Johan Maurits

Changing perspectives

Mauritshuis, The Hague (NL), 2019

The museum removed a bust of Johan Maurits from its foyer. A storm of opinions broke out on Twitter. The facts challenge visitors to make up their own minds.

Representation

In early 2018, a public debate around colonialism and heritage erupted after the Mauritshuis museum removed a replica bust of Johan Maurits from its foyer. The exhibition ‘Shifting Image - In Search of Johan Maurits’ examines the representation of Johan Maurits, Count of Nassau-Siegen (1604–1679), and his role in the Dutch colony in Brazil and the transatlantic slave trade in the 17th century.

Varied perspectives

With reference to works held by the museum that bears his name, contemporary writers reflect on Maurits and his history from different points of view. In new descriptions accompanying the objects in the exhibition, they consider the collection from new perspectives. Visitors see that there is no one single story to be told here.

Forming an opinion

A wall made up of dozens of Maurits busts overlaid with projections illustrates the recent furore. A house made of sugar refers to the museum’s unambiguous nickname, the ‘sugar palace’: it is said to have been built using the proceeds from plantations. A large projection wall presents biographical facts about Johan Maurits and his activities in Dutch Brazil. The wealth of facts and perspectives challenges visitors to form their own views.

Academic research project

This exhibition constitutes the start of the academic research project ‘Revisiting Dutch Brazil and Johan Maurits’. The museum will investigate the role Johan Maurits played in Dutch Brazil. Head of the research project is Dr. Erik Odegard.

“The Mauritshuis couldn't have staged this exhibition at a better time.”

Lotfi El Hamidi, NRC — 3 April 2019

Credits

Client
Mauritshuis

Content Design
Studio Louter

Spatial & Graphic Design
OPERA Amsterdam

Film Production
Mette Menting

Interactive Media Production
Studio Louter

Light Design
Hans Wolff & Partners

Construction
Fiction Factory

Hardware
BeamSystems BV


Authors
Edmund Abaka, Ernst van den Boogaart, Rebecca Parker Brienen, Susan Broomhall, Quentin Buvelot, Maria Regina Celestino de Almeida, Audra Diptee, Reinildis van Ditzhuyzen, Frits Duparc, Pieter Emmer, Karwan Fatah-Black, Mariana de Campos Françozo, Jacqueline van Gent, Emilie Gordenker, Jeroen Goud, Michiel van Groesen, Julie Berger Hochstrasser, Marika Keblusek, Nico Koedam, Elmer Kolfin, Ad Leerintveld, Junadry Leocaria, Ashaki Leito, Imara Limon, Wayne Modest, Tom van der Molen, Carolina Monteiro, Erik Odegard, Zihni Özdil, Kalina Vanderlei Paiva da Silva, Mark Ponte, Carol Pottasch, Mireia Alcantara Rodriguez, Frits Scholten, Esther Schreuder, Valika Smeulders, Daniel Vieira Sousa-Leão, Benjamin Teensma, Dante Martins Teixeira, Abbie Vandivere, Felipe Vander Velden, Lea van der Vinde, Valentina Vlašić, Gloria Wekker, Shahaila Winklaar, Simone Zeefuik

Awards 

AVICOM F@IMP 2.0 2020
Winner | Scenography

FX Design Award 2020
Finalist | Museum or Exhibition Space

Museums + Heritage Award 2020
Winner | The International Project of the Year < £1m

European Design Awards 2020
Bronze| Exhibition Design

Frame Awards 2020
Longlist | Exhibition of the Year

Muse Design Awards 2019
Gold | Interior Design Exhibits, Pavilions, & Exhibitions

SBID Awards 2019
Nomination | Public Space Design