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30 Peace Monuments Related to
Desiderius Erasmus [1466-1536]

"Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam, the 'prince of humanists,' brilliantly and devastatingly condemned war not only on Christian but also on secular/rational grounds. His graphic depiction of the miseries of war, together with his impassionate plea for its avoidance, remain unparalleled... If any single individual in the modern world can be credited with 'the invention of peace,' the honour belongs to Erasmus rather than Immanuel Kant whose essay on perpetual peace was published nearly three centuries later."
-- Peter van den Dungen, "Erasmus: 16th Century Pioneer of Peace Education and a Culture of Peace," Journal of East Asia & International Law, Autumn 2009.

Click here for Erasmus biography from Wikipedia.
Click here for Erasmus quotations from Wikiquote.

Right click image to enlarge.
1517 - "Erasmo de Rotterdam," National Gallery of Ancient Art in Barberini Palace, Via delle Quattro Fontane 13, Rome (Italy). By Quentin Metsys [1466-1530].
1523 - "Erasmus von Rotterdam am Schreibpult," Musée du Louvre, Paris (France). By German painter Hans Holbein the Younger [c1498-1543].
1523 - "Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam with Renaissance Pilaster," National Gallery, London (England). By Hans Holbein the Younger [c1498-1543].

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1536? - Tomb of Erasmus, Basler Münster / Basel Minster, Münsterplatz, Basel (Switzerland). Desiderius Erasmus [1466/1469-1536] was a Dutch Renaissance humanist. "He spent several years in Basel and died here in 1536. Although he stayed a Roman Catholic, he was buried in the Minster that was by then the main church of the Protestants in Basel. His bones were lost following changes to the church during the 19th century. They were only positively re-identified in 1974 and now rest under his epitaph." Information courtesy of Gerard Lössbroek.

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1598 - Figurehead on Stern of "De Liefde / Love," Imperial Museum, Tokyo (Japan). Depicts Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam [1466-1536]. Originally named "Erasmus," this was first Dutch ship ever to reach Japan but was lost in a storm in 1600. The figurehead was saved in a temple & identified in 1926.


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April 30, 1622 - Standbeeld van Erasmus / Statue of Erasmus, Square in front of Sint Laurens Church, Rotterdam (Netherlands). "Er zijn 2 standbeelden van Erasmus in Rotterdam, een bronzen beeld bij de Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk en een borststuk op de Kop van Zuid."





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1787 - Erasmus Hall High School, 890 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, New York City, New York (USA). "Originally called Erasmus Hall Academy, a private institution of higher learning founded in 1786 by Dutch settlers in Vlacke bos (flat woodland Anglicized to 'Flatbush') was the first secondary school chartered by the New York Regents. The clapboard-sided, Federal style building, was constructed in 1787 on land donated by the Flatbush Dutch Reformed Church, designated a New York City Landmark in 1966, and was donated to the public school system in 1896... A statue of Erasmus (cast from the 1622 original in Rotterdam by Hendrick de Keiser [1565-1621]) was given by an alumnus, Richard Young, and graces the school’s courtyard. Dedicated in 1931, the base is engraved with the words: 'Desiderius Erasmus, the maintainer and restorer of the sciences and polite literature, the greatest man of his century, the excellent citizen who, through his immortal writings, acquired an everlasting fame.' The Academy building, which still stands in the courtyard of the current school, served the students of Erasmus Hall for more than 200 years."


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1837 - Statue of Erasmus, Koninklijke Bibliotheek (KB), Lange Voorhout 34, Prins Willem-Alexanderhof 5, The Hague (Netherlands). "Located in the hall of the exhibition space [since 1982]. Made by the Amsterdam sculptor Louis Royer [1793-1868]. He made a series of statues of national figures. This image of Erasmus is one of them. In 1837 the KB placed the sandstone image as a symbol of science in the library at Lange Voorhout." Info courtesy of Gerard Lössbroek.

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1842 - Gymnasium Erasmianum / Erasmiaans Gymnasium, Rotterdam (Netherlands). Founded in 1328. Second oldest school in the Netherlands. Renamed for Erasmus in 1842. More than a century older than its namesake, and it is unclear whether Erasums attended. School motto is "Ex Pluribus Unum" / "Unity Through Diversity."


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1892 - Statue of Juan Luis Vives, National Library of Spain, Madrid (Spain). Sculpted in Italian white marble by Pere Carbonell Huguet [1854–1927]. Juan Luis Vives [1492–1540] was a Valencian Spanish scholar and humanist, known as "Valencia's Erasmus."
Date? - Bust of Juan Luis Vives, Bruges (Belgium). Juan Luis Vives [1492–1540] was a Valencian Spanish scholar & humanist.

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1923 - "Erasmus," in the "Want," near the Oranjelaan, Dordrecht, South Holland (Netherlands). "Built in 1923 as the "W.F.van der Wyck" for service between Enkhuizen and Stavoren. In 1941 she was requisitioned by the Germans as "Wilkommen," and in 1944 renamed "Regulus." She was acquired by Spido in 1955 and named "Erasmus." She was out of service in 1973, sold in 1974, and in 1976 became the 'Hollands Glorie" in Dordrecht. She remains as a stationary vessel in Dordrecht, with her engines removed."


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1934 - Statue of Erasmus, Vossius College, Amsterdam (Netherlands). Sculpted by Hildo Krop [1884-1970]. "The inscription at the feet of Erasmus is 'qvi Vitatene molam Vitatene farinam,' Latin for 'who shuns the millstone, shuns the flour.' A similar more modern phrase is 'for nothing, the sun.' The Latin phrase is borrowed from the Adagia of Erasmus. 'Those who fled the industry,' said Erasmus, 'cannot enjoy the profits as there are people that the behavior of their wives can not stand, yet they want children.' Erasmus concludes his comments with 'oute meli, oute melittai,' meaning 'Fear of bees? No honey!' /// Krop has three Erasmus images to his name: a bust in Gouda, Agnietenkapel in The Hague, and a statue in the garden of the Peace Palace. He has several philosophers depicted in Amsterdam are next Erasmus, Spinoza & Descartes next to a school." [Google translation] Info courtesy of Gerard Lössbroek.


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1950 - Bust of Erasmus, Vroesenpark, Gouda (Netherlands). Sculpted by Hildo Krop [1884-1970]. "The image is on a pied the stable, in the form of two books, designed by Menno Meijer." [Google translation] Info courtesy of Gerard Lössbroek.

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1953-1978 - Note of 100 Dutch guilders, De Netherlandsche Bank (Netherlands). Designed by J. F. Doeve from a medieval miniature by Hans Holbein the Younger. "In 1523, Holbein painted his first portraits of the great Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus [1466-1536], who required likenesses to send to his admirers throughout Europe. These paintings made Holbein an international artist."

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1960 - Erasmus Building, Queen's College, Cambridge University, Cambridge (England). "Erected 1959-60 to the design of Sir Basil Spence. It contains 43 study-bedrooms, which were refitted with en-suite showers and toilets in 1997, plus two sets for Fellows and one further study-bedroom."

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1973 - Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam / Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam (Netherlands).

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1974 - Erasmusgebouw / Erasmus Building, Radboud University, Nijmegen (Netherlands). Tallest building in the City of Nijmegen (88 meters, 21 floors). Information from Gerard Lössbroek.

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1975 - "M.V. Erasmus," Thames River, London (England). "Welcome aboard the newest vessel in our fleet. Built in Germany to a high specification, this modern vessel plied her trade in Holland for four years before entering service on the Thames [in 2002]. A light, airy and spacious boat on three levels, she offers superb views of the attractions and skyline of London. With a total capacity of 340, she is one of the largest boats on the Thames."


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Before 1988 - Maison d'Erasme / House of Erasmus, Anderleht District, Brussels (Belgium). Where Erasmus stayed May-October 1521 after leaving Leuven. Renovated & reopened in 1988. "After the reception room, visitors can explore five further rooms. The Chamber of Rhetoric is dedicated to Erasmus’s visit and exudes a 16th-century ambience. The wooden floors give off an ancient, musty aroma and creak with every step. Glass cabinets contain letters and academic papers written by Erasmus, and stunning paintings line the walls."

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Date? - Erasmus Medical Center, Burgemeester s' Jacobsplein 51, Rotterdam (Netherlands). "The largest and most authoritative scientific University Medical Center in the Netherlands. Almost 13,000 staff members work within the core tasks of patient care, education, and scientific research on the continuous improvement and enforcement of individual patient care and social healthcare."


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January 1996 - Erasmus School of Primary Education, 40 Lisson Grove, Hawthorn, Victoria (Australia). "Inspired by the work of the Melbourne School of Philosophy which is directly affiliated with the London School of Economic Science."

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September 6, 1996 - Erasmusbrug / Erasmus Bridge, Nieuwe Maas / New Meuse River, Rotterdam (Netherlands). "The 808 metre long bridge has a 139 metre-high asymmetrical pylon, earning the bridge its nickname of 'The Swan.'" "A study in Rotterdam showed that about 30% of the Rotterdamers thought that Erasmus was the architect of the Erasmus bridge!"

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1997 - Erasmuslijn / Erasmus Line, Rotterdam Metro, Rotterdam (Netherlands). Oldest Metro in the Netherlands. North-South Line renamed in 1997 for Erasmus.

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December 9, 2003 - Statue of Europe "Unity in Peace," Centre Erasmus, Jardin Van Maerlant. Brussels (Belgium). "Dedicated to Europe and offered to the European Commission by the French sculptor Bernard Romain. At the occasion of the year 2003 which was devoted to disabled people. Manufactured, modelled, polished and painted by children with challenged vision of different cultures under the supervision of Bernard Romain."


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March 2005 - Huis van Erasmus / House of Erasmus, St. Huis van Erasmus, Bergweg 279-B, Rotterdam (Netherlands). "Fulfils a platform function for the fostering of a culture of peace and active non-violence, carrying the motto ‘Peace in the world, safety in the city.' An initiative of Humanistisch Vredesberaad and Pais. The Foundation is a member of Rotterdam Vredesstad, the Platform Vredescultuur and the Humanistische Alliantie, and is a partner of People Building Peace Nederland."

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October 28, 2005 - Erasmushuis Rotterdam / Erasmus House, Grotekerkplein 5, 3011 GC, Rotterdam (Netherlands). "Aims to Erasmus a clear and recognizable every Dutchman in place to provide the experience and, for visitors, in the cityscape of Rotterdam. This is facilitated by propagating the ideas of Erasmus of Rotterdam in the society and beyond."

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2008 - Stadswandeling Erasmus in Rotterdam / Erasmus City Trail in Rotterdam, Rotterdam (Netherlands). Describes 24 points of interest related to Desiderius Erasmus [1466-1536]. Created by Stichting Erasmushuis Rotterdam.

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January 24, 2011 - "Erasmus & 500th anniversary of The Praise of Folly," (Netherlands). 2 Euro coin "commemorating the publication of the book of Desiderius Erasmus, The Praise of Folly or laus stultitiae. The book is considered to be one of the most influential works of western civilisation. In The Praise of Folly Erasmus could scoff at the way how people pursue their own interests with extreme folly and without foresight. The Erasmus coin is the first Dutch 2 Euro commemorative coin with a national theme. The coin has been designed by Dylan Shield."


June 22, 2017 - "3D printed image of Desiderius Erasmus, Schielandshuis / Schieland House, Korte Hoogstraat , Rotterdam (Netherlands). "A homage to one of Rotterdam's most famous citizens. With the placement of the image opposite the Rotterdam Tourist Information, Rotterdam Partners - member of the Erasmus Committee - hopes to extend the commitment of Erasmus to the city. The 3D-printed statue symbolizes the innovative power of Rotterdam & the innovator Erasmus... Replica of Desiderius Erasmus's image of Hendrick de Keyser, which is located on the Groteek Square next to the Lauren Church. From 1945 to 1963 this picture was temporarily on the square for the Schieland house..." [Google translation] /// Information courtesy of Gerard Lössbroek. N.B.: This is first example I've see of a 3D printed monument - not etched.