The Test of Time

Five years after painting the mural, some aspects have sadly not survived. The most unfortunate example of this is the tag that has disappeared. A tag is a stylized and often monochromatic signature of a graffiti artist. Luckily, the tag is still visible on an older picture, which helped determine the maker of the mural: Sket185. Sket185 is a graffiti artist who is active in various cities in the Netherlands. His style is known for its thick lines and cartoonish characters, as well as a blend of old-school styles with newer innovations. This mural is an especially interesting work of his, as it shows humans and animals. Oftentimes, the pieces made by Sket185 are much more abstract.

Another thing that has disappeared is the founding year of the Zwanennest, which used to be visible right underneath the house name. The Zwanennest was founded in 1967, and with its 55 years, it is the oldest rowing house in the Netherlands. Therefore, the house has many traditions, from drinking coffee together each Friday morning to having its own rugby shirt and flag.

Inside the house, there are more things that have not survived the test of time. One of those is the bathroom, along with the shower. A couple of decades ago, the bathroom was sacrificed to create room for an eighth rower. But don’t worry - the boys still smell fresh! Flaunting their wine-red bathrobes, they take a shower at over at Njord each day. And in a way, they have a point: why bother taking a shower at home when you shower at Njord after your rowing daily session anyway?