Street artist Beyond drew inspiration from Pieter Claesz’s Vanitas Still Life at the Mauritshuis.
"I still own objects like the ones you always see in Vanitas paintings, candles, watches, skulls, in my studio. That timeless quality really fascinates me. And of course, the message behind Vanitas: life is temporary. Vanitas, to me, is not a warning, but a challenge: an encouragement to live fully, to take risks, and to create. Knowing that nothing lasts, not even the traces we leave behind."
His mural, a modern take on the classic theme, will be on display for the next few years on het Plein in The Hague, just around the corner from the Mauritshuis, while the Binnenhof undergoes renovation.
Inspiration
The inspiration for his painting is Vanitas still life by Pieter Claesz from 1630. The painting features a snuffed-out candle, an empty glass, a watch, and a skull. These are not just random objects, but symbols of transience. People in the 17th century recognized them instantly. Vanitas still lifes reminded them not to place too much value on worldly success and wealth. What mattered more was living a good and virtuous life. Pieter Claesz, who was from Haarlem, became famous for the still lifes he created. Using limited color, he painted works that appeared strikingly lifelike.
Studio still life
When you stand in front of the painting of BEYOND, you see objects from his own life: the photo album with his first paintings, his watch (which, by chance, has just stopped), and his favorite tool, the spray can. All these items come straight from his studio. He carefully composed them into a still life. They speak to the passage of time. The message is the same as in the old Vanitas still lifes: nothing lasts forever.
A classic, reimagined
Where Claesz used oil paint, BEYOND opts for spray paint. For this piece, he brought a photo of the still life setup from his studio with him up in the cherry picker. He starts with a dark sketch, laying down the composition. Then he works in layers: first the large areas of color, followed by increasingly detailed work. Until the piece stands complete: a fusion of realism and abstraction.
About BEYOND
BEYOND – real name Roelof Schierbeek – is an artist from The Hague known for some of the city's boldest large-scale murals. You can spot his work all over: on the Omniversum, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, in Laakkwartier, and the giant chickens in the Binckhorst district. His work can also be seen around the world in about 22 countries.
He has previously drawn inspiration from the Mauritshuis collection. Our most famous painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring, inspired him to create a large mural in his signature style in Amsterdam.
Take the tour and see all the Mauritshuis Murals
Hop on your bike, go for a walk or a run, it’s time to explore The Hague!
Marlinde: “When I saw them online I thought: wooow, beautiful! But in real life, it’s seriously next level.”
Check out Google Maps and discover all the murals inspired by paintings from the Mauritshuis. The artists are: Super A and Collin van der Sluijs, Nina Valkhoff, GLEO, Nadia van Luijk, BEYOND, and Daiara Tukano. All of them chose a different artwork as their inspiration.
Visited all the Mauritshuis Murals? Then come see the original masterpieces at the museum!
