Graftombe van Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen te Kleef 1710 - 1730

Arnoud van Halen created this sepia drawing of the Tomb of Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen in Kleef, sometime between 1673 and 1732. Johan Maurits, a controversial figure, was governor of Dutch Brazil in the 17th century. Van Halen situates us in a somber wooded area. The tomb itself is prominently displayed and is flanked by a stone tablet, where a figure appears to be tracing the lettering. The tomb then, serves as both a memorial and a historical document. The work prompts us to reflect on the complexities of memory and representation. While Maurits was celebrated by some for his contributions to art and science, he was also criticized for his role in the transatlantic slave trade. Van Halen's sepia drawing invites us to meditate on the legacies we choose to honor and how we engage with uncomfortable aspects of our shared past. What stories do we tell about our leaders? And whose stories are left out of the narrative?