'Dear reader, pleasant, my name is Leo. From the early 16th century, I stood right under the roof in the church of the Friars Minor in Amsterdam for some 150 years. What all I saw and heard there! Beautiful church services, glorious processions, beautiful choral singing. Unfortunately also less beautiful things like the iconoclasm. Fortunately, I stood high up and they couldn't smash me. Historical figures I also saw: Father Brugman, who could preach so fervently. Alva, who tried to keep Amsterdam Catholic. Unfortunately for us monks, we didn't succeed. In 1578, my brothers were expelled from the city, my monastery was closed....'

'Sadly, I waited for what was to come. The monastery grounds were getting new inhabitants: citizens now, not monks! The population was growing fast and needed houses. Fortunately, I was found, preserved and later (much later) bricked into a facade. That was not far from my old spot in the chapel: on the corner Oudezijds Achterburgwal/Monnikenstraat. Still, a bit of familiar surroundings...'

'About that time on the facade, unfortunately, I can't tell you much: I was completely covered in paint, my eyes, ears, everything. Everyone thought I was made of stone! Vaguely I saw and heard two centuries of Amsterdam street life passing by. In 1880, ‘my’ facade was demolished. Through the interference of fellow believers with a heart for Catholic heritage, I ended up in the collection of the Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder museum. Finally that paint was taken off me. After more than a century in a dark cupboard and almost two centuries covered in paint in all weathers on a facade, I could finally see and hear properly again. A huge relief, as you may understand! I have had a great time at the museum for years now. Nice and warm and dry.'