Vanitas vanitatum, omnia vanitas - Art Depot 2

This quote comes from the biblical book of Ecclesiastes and means: ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.’ It refers to the fleeting and transitory nature of earthly life. In this presentation, religious heritage from parishes in the area is combined with works by Aad de Haas from the SCHUNCK collection, related to the theme of transience.

Visual Language

Although the visual language surrounding the finiteness of earthly life is very different today, with a prevailing focus on living in and enjoying the present, it was common up to the mid-20th century to point out the inevitability of death and the afterlife. In past funerary symbolism, skulls and hourglasses reappear, whether in tomb monuments, cemetery fences, vestments, or missals used in funeral masses. Expressions such as Memento mori (Remember that you will die) and Hodie mihi, cras tibi (Today me, tomorrow you) were sometimes even displayed on banners in the church during requiem masses. The skull serves as a warning: ‘Turn away from sin before it is too late.’

Mary Magdalene

Often, Saint Mary Magdalene is depicted on or near confessionals holding a skull, frequently moved to tears. Through tradition, Mary Magdalene has become known as a penitent sinner and even a prostitute. In the Saint Pancratius Church, there is a painting after the Italian painter Titian representing the penitent Mary Magdalene. This painting forms a direct link with the exhibition at the Art Depot. Mary Magdalene is depicted in several places in the church; at the crucifixion, lamentation, and burial of Jesus, but also as a witness to his resurrection. She is not the only one who points to the transience of earthly existence; the apostle Peter, Church Father Jerome, and Saint Francis of Assisi also remind visitors of this.

Aad de Haas

Various works by Aad de Haas from the SCHUNCK collection align with the previously mentioned themes and subjects. Maria Magdalena features in the series of monotypes 'Uit het leven van Maria Magdalena' (From the Life of Maria Magdalena) by De Haas as a Biblical figure in the role of a prostitute within a contemporary, everyday setting. This role, assigned to her — whether justly or unjustly — by the Church, reflects a male-dominated world. This is precisely what piques De Haas' interest and drives him to depict the story in this manner, due to his social engagement and aversion to injustice.

It was common for De Haas to link Biblical stories or figures to the present, as he found them to be still relevant and current today. He therefore combines new non-Biblical scenes with fragments and elements from Biblical stories. This is also evident in his series 'Passie' (Passion), one of his versions of the Stations of the Cross.

Transience and the inevitable death have always fascinated De Haas throughout his short life. Whether it's a self-portrait where death lurks around the corner, the deathbed of a loved one, or a funeral: death is never far away in his works. De Haas is always aware of it and fears it.

De Haas perhaps best captures the transience of life in his works on the theme 'De dood en het meisje' (Death and the Girl): a component of the Danse Macabre, where death lures the living into the grave while celebrating. As is typical of De Haas, he gives his own twist to the story. In some works, the fear of death plays the most significant role, while in others, the girl — symbolizing beauty and life — seems to surrender herself to death with full devotion, sometimes in a romantic manner.

In the Sint-Pancratiuskerk, display cases provide more information about the Biblical, historical, and legendary life of Mary Magdalene. Additionally, there is a visitor guide with a route through the church featuring artworks related to Mary Magdalene and the theme of vanitas.

The Sint-Pancratiuskerk is open on Saturday afternoons from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and can be visited after the daily Masses. For other opening hours, see the website: Information (pancratiuskerk-heerlen.nl)

Opening hours of the Art Depot:

Monday to Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.