FHML deans shine in artwork ‘Memories in gold’

The new artwork replaces the previous black and white portraits on the wall in the Co Greep hall. The artist had been told that some commented on the old portraits as it were 'only men hanging on the wall in a formal atmosphere -meaning old-fashioned black and white'. 

In 2024, it was time for a less formal and more playful representation of the 50-year history on the wall.

The artwork features painted portraits of 19 deans (from the former faculties of Medicine and of Health Sciences as well as FHML) and three building deans*. ‘Painting the deans with beards was the most difficult,’ according to the artist. The portraits are positioned in a blue background that matches the furniture of the meeting hall, while also symbolising the movement of the River Maas, the sinus and pulse - representing movement and progress.

The wall captures 50 years of education at FHML. The distance of the portraits relative to the wall corresponds to the number of years the dean has been appointed. The deans who have had more terms are slightly more prominent, creating depth and relief in the wall art. If the sun shines, the portraits light up in the afternoon because of the layer of silk varnish that has been applied, creating a beautiful effect.

* The ‘building deans’ helped build and design courses without having officially held the dean's position. They are pictured at the top left in the artwork.