Step into history with our newest tour through the exhibition “Het Leven en Werken in Onvrijheid” (Life and Labor in Bondage). Led by a knowledgeable guide, you will explore the striking Rita Maasdamme diorama, which vividly portrays life on the plantation during the era of slavery. The 5.5-meter-wide diorama, the largest in the Maasdamme Collection, is the center piece of this powerful exhibition.

Rita Maasdamme (1944-2016) was a distinguished Aruban-Surinamese artist, poet, and writer. Her dioramas—detailed three-dimensional miniature scenes—offer a powerful insight into the colonial past of Suriname, with a particular focus on the daily lives of enslaved people. With unparalleled precision, Maasdamme created human figures that, in contrast to the dehumanization of slavery, were each given a name, identity, and emotion.

This exhibition delves into the social structures, family dynamics, and the struggle to maintain identity in a system designed to strip it away. It offers a deeper understanding of the daily realities of enslaved people and highlights how the past continues to shape present-day structures and patterns.

After the 15 min guided tour, visitors are welcome to take their time to explore the texts and diorama at their own pace.