A 14 meter high mural of Aletta Jacobs now adorns a wall opposite the Academy Building in Groningen. The painting was made by artist duo VAAF and was officially unveiled today by rector of the University of Groningen Cisca Wijmenga.
The artwork was designed and created by Jonna Bo Lammers and Lotte Masker, who together form the artist duo VAAF. They were commissioned to tell the story of Aletta Jacobs and her impact. “We didn't just want to paint a portrait of her, accompanied by some inspiring text,” Lammers says. “We really wanted to tell her story, tell us why Aletta Jacobs is such a really cool woman.” The painting therefore consists of a number of important elements from her life and work. At the top the signature with which Jacobs registered and a pen. Below that is a female torso, an illustration of the front cover of a book that Jacobs wrote. “When it was released, the illustration was adapted so that the female organs were covered with a skirt. We have now left that out," explains Masker.
Jacobs himself is depicted twice: once as the first and only female doctor, surrounded by men. She is also drawn as a younger woman, wearing a T-shirt that reads 'studying is for ugly girls' with a quote from a letter written about Jacobs below. “It was said that only ugly women would engage in emancipation and study,” Lammers explains. And women are still judged by their appearance. That is why we wanted to incorporate this text into the artwork in a contemporary way.”
The artwork, on the wall of the University Library, is the first in a series of at least five murals depicting important scientists of the University of Groningen. The proposal for a series of academic murals came from former councilor Gerben Brandsema and is now being carried out by the University of Groningen, Kunstpunt Groningen, the University Museum and the Municipality of Groningen.
The University Art Committee is currently considering the other murals. One of the plans is already known: J.C Kapteyn, astronomer and first professor of astronomy at the University of Groningen, will be given a place on the Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat in honor of his 100th anniversary.