Priest, humanist, philosopher, theologian and writer – Erasmus is one of the most influential thinkers from the Netherlands, who is still influential today since he defined the humanist movement. Two motives determine Erasmus' body of thoughts: the freedom of people and peace.
In the footsteps of Erasmus - Rotterdam (2017-07-11) by Jeroen HermkensErasmus Huis
Rotterdam
Erasmus was born around 1466 in Rotterdam. There is not so much to say with certainty about his birth or the circumstances at that time.
In the footsteps of Erasmus - Deventer (2017-07-11) by Jeroen HermkensErasmus Huis
Deventer
Erasmus felt that things could be quite different. At an early age, when his mother took him and his older brother to Deventer, a place far away from the center of culture, the concept of ‘education’ gave a completely different meaning to Erasmus.
In the footsteps of Erasmus - Gouda (2017-07-11) by Jeroen HermkensErasmus Huis
Gouda
Little Erasmus, who was a very fragile and sickly child, moved to Gouda where he spent most of his early childhood and his primary school time. His memories of that time were far from pleasant though! The teachers were harsh and abusive and smacked them to their knees to be obedient.
In the footsteps of Erasmus - Paris (2017-07-11) by Jeroen HermkensErasmus Huis
Paris
Erasmus was a brilliant writer but he did not have any diplomas, so he decided to go to Paris to study at Sorbonne University in the hope to meet peers and exchange knowledge in the heart of the cultural capital of the world.
In the footsteps of Erasmus - Oxford (2017-07-11) by Jeroen HermkensErasmus Huis
Oxford
During his stay in Oxford with a light but daily fever, Erasmus was not in the best of shape in spring 1498. He decided, he simply wanted to live ‘for God only’ and wanted to dedicate his life to the Holy Scripture.
In the footsteps of Erasmus - Leuven (2017-07-11) by Jeroen HermkensErasmus Huis
Leuven
It was every humanist's dream to discover long-lost ancient scripts. Erasmus, however, did not find something old, but something recent.
In the footsteps of Erasmus - Venice (2017-07-11) by Jeroen HermkensErasmus Huis
Venice
A combination of faith and philosophy does not necessarily yield an Erasmian point of view. Erasmus especially wanted to serve philosophy, or 'the love of wisdom'.
In the footsteps of Erasmus - Freiburg (2017-07-11) by Jeroen HermkensErasmus Huis
Freiburg
Erasmus saw no point in breaking up with the church, least of all on the basis of an extremist's far-fetched biblical interpretation.
In the footsteps of Erasmus - Basel (2017-07-11) by Jeroen HermkensErasmus Huis
Basel
In Basel, Erasmus came into contact with book printer, Froben, who printed several of his works. In Basel, Erasmus had discussions with Martin Luther which made him realize that multiple interpretations of the Bible were possible.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jeroen Hermkens, born on the 31st Of March 1960 in St Anthonis, graduated from the Academy of Visual Arts in Utrecht and the Atelier Lithographique Champfleury in Paris.
After Jeroen Hermkens exhibited his work at the Erasmus Huis in Jakarta in 2015, Jeroen was requested to make a mural for the cultural center.
Lately he has been painting murals in the headquarters of dredging company Van Oord, the Utrechts Archief and the Utrecht Medical Center.
CONCEPT BEHIND FOOTSTEPS OF ERASMUS
After Jeroen Hermkens he exhibited his work at the Erasmus Huis in Jakarta in 2015, Jeroen was asked requested to make a mural for the cultural center.
He decided to make nine different paintings of cities that had been of great importance in the life of Erasmus after whom the cultural center is named.
The mural inspired Jeroen also to write a book about the quest of Erasmus, in close cooperation with Han van Ruler, professor in Intellectual History of the Erasmus University in Rotterdam and vice Dean of the Erasmus School of Philosophy.
The captions are inspired by this wonderful book, that gives an impression of Erasmus' life and of the journey Hermkens made to be able to make both works of art.
In June 2017 the mural was inaugurated by Mr. Ahmed Aboutaleb, mayor of Rotterdam in the presence of M. Pieter van Oord, CEO of Van Oord and his excellency Mr. Rob Swartbol, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Indonesia and East-Timor.
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