6 Nov 2026 to Nov 2027
Aon ’t hart gelege
Maastricht through the eyes of artists and local residents
Which place in Maastricht holds a special place in your heart? A street where you played as a child, the place where you first fell in love, a part of the city that has disappeared, or that one view across the River Meuse that always feels like coming home?
In Aon ’t hart gelege, Maastricht takes centre stage. Over the years, artists have captured the city as they saw and experienced it. Discover Maastricht through the eyes of renowned local artists such as Henri Jonas, Guillaume Eberhard, Jan Bakhoven, Jos Narinx and Chrit Rousseau. From Vrijthof square and the River Meuse to places that have disappeared or have almost been forgotten. Their paintings not only show what Maastricht looked like around a century ago, but also how people lived, worked, celebrated and supported one another through difficult times.
The exhibition is about more than paintings
Every work of art may hold a personal story: a memory, a family history or a place that has special meaning for someone. That is why the exhibition brings together works from museum collections and paintings that usually hang in the homes of Maastricht residents.
Present-day Maastricht also has a place in the exhibition. Contemporary artists and emerging talents who took part in the Open Call reveal which places in Maastricht resonate with them today. In this way, different generations of artists come together, connecting the Maastricht of the past with the city of today.
Discover the many stories that make up a single city through the eyes of artists and local residents.
Vrijthof (1930), Guillaume Eberhard – Oil on panel
This painting shows people enjoying themselves on the terrace of Hotel Dominicain on the Vrijthof. In the background, you can see the tram shelter, where passengers once waited for the tram that used to run through Maastricht.
The lively chaos of Carnival (Vastelaovend) is one of the most iconic aspects of Maastricht culture. For three days, the “Vastelaovend vierend volk vaan Mestreech” – the people of Maastricht celebrating Carnival – take to the streets with musical instruments and colourful costumes.
What is your story?
Aon ’t hart gelege will continue to grow throughout the exhibition. Your memories of Maastricht can also become part of its story. Which place holds a special place in your heart? Which memory would you like to preserve and pass on?
Share your story with us and add your memory to the growing Storyline featured in the exhibition. Together, we will create a collection of stories by and about the people of Maastricht.
Come and explore, recognise and remember – and make your story part of Aon ’t hart gelege.