Roelof Schierbeek, better known as BEYOND, created a new mural in The Hague Southwest that highlights Johannes Vermeer’s depiction of fabric in a truly unique way. The mural can be found near Vrederustlaan 96, opposite the Shalom Church. As inspiration for his contemporary interpretation, he chose one of the master painter’s earliest works: Diana and Her Nymphs.
Roelof titled his artwork Draped in Memory. “Here, the drapery carries the story. The fabrics are a silent witness to experiences, movement, and absence.” Old and new techniques converge in one spectacular mural.
About BEYOND
For this latest project, the Mauritshuis is teaming up with BEYOND yet again. Roelof Schierbeek is the creative force behind many of the iconic murals that enrich The Hague: From the Omniversum and The Hague University to the massive chickens in Binckhorst and pieces in the Laakkwartier. His reach is global, too, with art in about 22 countries.
Roelof is no stranger to the masters; he’s already honored our famous Girl with a Pearl Earring in Amsterdam. Most recently, in 2025, he brought Pieter Claesz’s Vanitas Still Life into the modern era with a mural on the Plein, right near the museum.
Draped in Memory
The vibrant garments worn by Diana and her nymphs are a striking feature of Vermeer’s work. “I have a fascination with those rich fabrics and pleated textures that are so characteristic of seventeenth-century painting,” says Roelof. “Back then, clothing was how you showcased your style and status. With this mural, I’m emphasizing that—hence the title Draped in Memory."
"I saw emotion, character, and presence. To me, the folds, shadows, and rhythms in the fabric serve as a metaphor for memory. You see layers and changes, yet fabric is enduring. When the person disappears, the fabric remains.”
Identity and Time
Through this mural, BEYOND challenges the viewer to reflect on identity and time. “In a world that moves faster every day, I want to pause and consider the memory of matter. What was once a minor detail has become monumental. Drapery as a story, as a legacy, as a voice.”
He was also drawn to the mystical atmosphere of the painting: “Diana is the goddess of both the hunt and the moon. Vermeer created a dreamlike mood with this scene. I’ve had many of my own adventures in the night; it’s a time when everything you experience feels more intense.”
Johannes Vermeer
While Johannes Vermeer is a household name thanks to masterpieces like Girl with a Pearl Earring and View of Delft, his journey began much earlier with Diana and Her Nymphs. This piece is among the earliest known works by the Delft-born artist, likely painted between 1653 and 1654, just as he was joining the local painters' guild.
New mural, familiar location
This new mural replaces the previous artwork by French artist Julien de Casabianca. In 2022, this was one of the first Mauritshuis Murals, for which he chose Peter Paul Rubens’s Old Woman and Boy with Candles (1616–1617). Unfortunately, the paste-up artwork had been damaged by weather conditions.
The Bouwlust/Vrederust district is located on the edge of The Hague, close to spacious and green recreational areas. Here, there are many smaller apartments in low-rise blocks with communal gardens. What makes the neighborhood so unique is the greenery and the many nearby amenities. For example, De Uithof, the place for walking, mountain biking, horse riding, skating, climbing, and more, is within walking distance. From De Uithof, you can walk straight through to Madestein and the 350-year-old Ockenburg Estate. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can head into the dunes and walk to the beach at Kijkduin.
Discover the Mauritshuis Murals!
Hop on your bike, go for a long walk, or a run: It’s time for a tour of The Hague!
Marlinde: "When I saw them online, I already thought: wow, beautiful! But in real life, it’s really next level."
Check Google Maps and discover all the murals inspired by paintings from the Mauritshuis by Super A and Collin van der Sluijs, Nina Valkhoff, GLEO, Nadia van Luijk, BEYOND, and Daiara Tukano. Each of them has chosen a different work.
Visited all the Mauritshuis Murals? Then come and see the original inspirations in the museum!
