Ans van Munster (70) from Odiliapeel has an impressive collection of statues of the Virgin Mary. After twenty years of collecting, the counter stands at about a thousand figurines. That is why she has turned her garage into a museum about the Rich Roman Life. “It is a great wealth that I may possess this.”
In 2004 acquaintances came along with a statue of Mother Anna and Saint Anthony. “They asked if I wanted them? But I didn’t really know what to do with them,” Ans recalls. “At that moment I decided to start collecting these kinds of images and one thing led to another.”
“I got everything, bought nothing.”
What makes the huge collection extra special is that it cost Ans nothing. “I got everything, right down to the cabinets. Nothing was bought.” She is happy with everything and that makes for a colorful collection in display cases in the living room, but especially in the garage, which is full from front to back and from top to bottom.
Ans knows exactly who and when she received a statuette. There is a sticker underneath everything. She does not need it, because she knows her entire collection and can tell something about every figurine. They come from all over the world: Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil and even Africa, but also just from Brabant.
“People want the images to be preserved after they die.”
Ans owes the fact that the collection has become so large to two things: “People know that I collect this and faith no longer occupies such an important place as it used to be. Many people are afraid that their statues will be thrown away after their death and therefore bring them to me because they are in good hands here.”
And because everyone now knows that Ans has a small museum full of sacred images, paintings and novena candles, people are also looking forward to a holiday to expand the collection. “Family and friends often bring something with them. My daughter-in-law is from Venezuela and that’s how I get all the colorful South American images,” says Ans visibly proud.
“I find peace and comfort in it.”
A year ago, Ans lost her husband Jozef, who happens to be a carpenter, to the consequences of Alzheimer’s. “Faith is still very important to me. There are always times in life when you need our dear Lord.” She is very proud of her collection, but it means much more to her. “I find peace and comfort in it.”
The collection consists of real masterpieces, including an ivory statuette, a painting by Jan Toorop and a wooden statuette that has been carved from one piece. Ans has real works of art in her collection. “But I am happy and grateful with everything that is written here.”
