News in Illuster 97
Prize for Pepijn de Koning
Pepijn de Koning (Research Master's in Dutch Literature and Culture) wins the Vliegenthart Thesis Prize 2025. His thesis, “Limited memories, elastic testimonies” (translated from Dutch), examines how the tragedy of the Apeldoornsche Bosch is remembered. This Jewish psychiatric institution was forcibly evacuated in January 1943. Almost 1,200 patients and some of the staff were deported to Auschwitz. None of the patients survived.
In post-war stories and performances, the emphasis was long on the nursing staff. Pepijn offers a new perspective on the memory and focuses on the patients instead. This makes it clear that the Apeldoornsche Bosch is a place where two histories intersect: that of the Holocaust and that of the discrimination of people with disabilities. The jury praised his innovative approach, sharp pen and respectful tone.
The prize, worth €1,500, is awarded annually by the Utrecht University Fund during the opening of the academic year in September.
Len in the city
Anyone who studied in Utrecht knows that it wasn't just about the lectures. Student rooms, friendships, love affairs, the canals at night, cycling through the city; these are memories associated with student life. Utrecht was your city and your home.
But the city never stands still. New cafés, festivals and performances pop up all the time, and there is so much to discover. That's why Illuster asked Len Korf (32) to explore what Utrecht has to offer for alumni.
During the day, he works at the University Library, and in the evenings and at weekends, he throws himself into cultural life. ‘Festivals, performances, crazy events: as long as it's cool, I'm there,’ he says. ‘Utrecht never gets boring, and I hope my stories invite you to rediscover the city.’
His columns appear in the alumni newsletter and on our website: uu.nl/alumni.
3D reconstruction of 15th-century painting
While cleaning a 15th-century painting of Christ crucified with Mary and John, Museum Catharijne Convent discovered that the original background had been a different colour.
This discovery sparked a heated debate: should restoration strive for historical “truth”, or should it respect the layered history of a work of art? To investigate this dilemma, Sanne Frequin, researcher and art historian at Utrecht University, opted for an innovative approach. The current background colour is blue, but underneath it lies a beautiful golden layer. Instead of removing the blue paint layer, she had the painting digitally reconstructed.
Using 3D scans, a virtual model was created in which the golden background is brought back to life. Two replicas were then made: one with the current blue background and one with the reconstructed golden version.
The replicas open up new possibilities for experimentation. Frequin will soon be investigating how different light sources, such as candlelight, change the experience of the work. Eye-tracking systems will also be used to see whether the golden or blue background directs the viewer's gaze differently. This research by Utrecht University connects the past and the future: centuries-old craftsmanship meets digital innovation. And in the meantime, the monumental painting remains untouched.
30 years of Illuster
- The first issue of Illuster was published in December 1995.
- At that time, Utrecht University had over 75,000 alumni – now there are 228,340.
- The number of students rose from 25,279 to 39,008.
- The number of staff grew from 6,795 to 8,969.
- We are now almost 100 editions further.
- These can all be viewed at: uu.nl/illuster