Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (10.1998(1999))

OBITUARY

Paulus Petrus Vitalis van Moorsei


1931-1999

Paul van Moorsei, Professor Emeritus of Early Christian Art. in Leiden University, eminent expert
on Coptic and Nubian wall painting, passed away suddenly on June 1. For many years, he had
served as Secretary of the International Society of Nubian Studies. In this capacity and not only, he
was associated with Professor Kazimierz Michalowski, the Center of Mediterranean Archaeology of
Warsaw University, the National Museum in Warsaw. He was a frequent guest in Poland, giving
lectures and participating in symposia, coming to study the Faras murals, but also simply to express
his deep sympathy for our country. Through his efforts his students and associates took part in Polish
explorations conducted in Sudan. He was indeed a great friend.
During his studies at RC Theological Seminary in Warmond and later at Leiden and in the
Gregorian University in Rome, he was interested in the Early Christian arts, especially sarcophagi
and wall paintings from the catacombs. His doctoral thesis, published in The Hague in 1965, was
devoted to the iconography of Moses Striking the Rock - the crossing of the Red Sea.
With encouragement from Prof. Dr. A. Klasens. Dr. Van Moor sei turned his attention to wall
painting, which the Dutch expedition had uncovered in the church at Abdallah n-Irqi in the
Pakhoras diocese. Thus started a lifetime fascination with Nubian and Coptic painting, followed by

13