Albert Troost - 100 years

These artworks are a prime example of the centuries-old tradition of producing and applying stained glass in Maastricht and the surrounding region.

In the Church of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Goede Raad (Our Lady of Good Counsel) in the Malpertuis district, now used as the home base of Opera Zuid, Troost created an impressive masterpiece in stained glass between 1964 and 1966, spanning the four walls of the church and covering an area of 570 square meters. The architect of the church, Jean Huysmans, adapted his design to accommodate the stained glass, making the ensemble of building, interior, and windows a true 'Gesamtkunstwerk.'

Thanks to the extraordinary opening by Opera Zuid, Albert Troost's work will be on display from March 5th to 9th. Additionally, there will be an exhibition of design drawings and other related works by Albert Troost during this time. From March 11th to April 20th, this exhibition will move to the Sint Servaasbasiliek (Basilica of Saint Servatius), for which Troost also created five stained glass windows during the restoration in the 1980s. He also revised the color scheme of the walls inside the Basilica in collaboration with the restorers.

A stained glass work from 1966, in collaboration with a suspended sculpture by Arthur Spronken, is located in Wyck at the Sint Maartenscollege (Noormannensingel 50). This can also be visited during these two weeks, provided one registers with the caretaker. Lastly, there is a large, colorful reverse glass painting by Troost from 1971 on display at the Hotel Management School (Bethlehemweg 2).

Other works by Troost
Most of Albert Troost's work was created in relation to architecture and can often be found in the vicinity of Eindhoven, where Albert Troost was from and spent most of his life. His work can also be found in other places such as the House of Representatives in The Hague and in the Matsushita Presidium in the Japanese city of Osaka. Throughout his career, Troost also engaged in free drawing and painting, as well as teaching. He was a lecturer in monumental painting at the Jan van Eijck Academy in Maastricht from 1957 until 1981, where he served as director from 1965 to 1981. He passed away on March 28, 2010.

Traditional craft
The profession of glassmaking is an ancient craft throughout Europe. Enthusiasts of this and other forms of glass art can also visit Bureau Europa, where the exhibition 'In Vitro - the many lives of glass' will be on display until June 16, 2024. Here, archival material and old stained glass from the region come together with introspective installations and films that explore the brilliance and complexity of glass. Modern Limburg architecture is paired with designs and models, connecting to the broader context, philosophy, and symbolic significance hidden within the glass.