EXPERIENCE THE FLEMISH MASTERS - PROGRAMME 2018 2020 - WTM London
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EXPERIENCE
THE FLEMISH
MASTERS
PROGRAMME
2018 - 2020
1
2
INTRODUCTION
For over 250 years, from the 15th to well
into the late 17th century, Flanders was
the fountainhead of the finest art in
Western Europe and the inspiration be-
hind the most famous art movements
of the time: Early Netherlandisch, Re-
naissance and Baroque.
The artists, renowned for their skill,
creativity and technical innovation,
turned an already rich and urban
Flanders into one of the world’s most
culturally sophisticated regions, with
impressive achievements in both art and
architecture.
3
THE FLEMISH MASTERS 2018-2020
The Flemish Masters project focuses on the life and legacy of several 15th,
16th and 17th century artists who were based in Flanders, particularly
Rubens, Bruegel and the Flemish Primitives, including Van Eyck.
While many of the works by these Flemish Masters can be admired all over the
world, the experience is most powerful in the unique setting of Flanders, where
the work was created. You can stroll around the historic setting in which Rubens
lived, wander through the landscapes that inspired Pieter Bruegel the elder, and
discover a painting by Van Eyck in the exact location it was painted for.
Significant infrastructure investments are being made throughout Flanders as we
realize how important high-quality tourist services are in delivering an optimal
visitor experience. Futhermore, a programme of high-quality events and perma-
nent exhibitions with international appeal will be organized throughout 2018,
2019 and 2020.
4
BRUGES ANTWERP
GHENT
MECHELEN
LEUVEN
BRUSSELS
The restoration of the Ghent Altarpiece and its return to St Bavo’s Cathedral, the re-opening of the Royal Museum
of Fine Arts Antwerp, a true Rubens treasure trove, and the different events marking the 450th anniversary of
Bruegel’s death will be the highlights of the programme.
While the art from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries will be the main priority, we will also make several
crossovers to other art forms and experiences. For example, contemporary art, comic strips and gastronomy will
be featured.
Most of the Flemish art cities will be in the spotlight, though smaller towns with top pieces will also be taking part.
Our goal is to make the Flemish Masters project accessible for everyone, deliver quality over the entire holiday
value chain. We look forward to your support and partnership in this endeavour.
5
FLEMISH MASTERS
PROGRAMME 2018 - 2020
2018
ANTWERP
BAROQUE CITY,
SIGNED BY RUBENS
p. 8
6
2020
THE GHENT
ALTARPIECE IS
COMING HOME
p. 30
2019
EXPERIENCE THE
WORLD OF BRUEGEL
p. 20
7
8
ANTWERP BAROQUE CITY,
SIGNED BY RUBENS
PETER PAUL RUBENS MAY MOSTLY BE KNOWN AS A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST, BUT HE
WAS ALSO AN ESTEEMED DIPLOMAT, POLYGLOT AND COLLECTOR.
AN AUSPICIOUS START ordinary Flemish house into Europe with many contem-
a ‘palazzo’. He extended the poraries considering him as
Rubens was born in 1577 in home considerably and add- skilled a diplomat as he was
Siegen (in present-day Ger- ed a studio, a garden pavilion an artist. For he was by then
many), but soon moved to and a semi-circular sculpture almost universally revered as
Antwerp with his mother after museum with a dome, and a painter without rival.
his father died. It was there there was a magnificent
that he learnt to paint, taking portico offering a beautiful During his travels he secured
instruction from artists such view of the courtyard garden many high-profile assign-
as Tobias Verhaecht, Adam and the garden pavilion. The ments, including commissions
van Noort and Otto van result was magnificent. From such as the creation of 24
Veen. In 1600, he travelled to then on, his studio would paintings celebrating the life
Rome and Venice in Italy, and become a hive of activity of Maria de Medici for the Pa-
later to Spain. It was clear with many employees and risian Palais du Luxembourg.
even then that he was no students (some of them
ordinary talent as he soon going on to be famous, like
enjoyed courtly and even A BAROQUE LEGEND
Anthony van Dyck and Jacob
Royal patronage. Jordaens), producing many In 1630, Rubens returned
hundreds of creations and to Flanders for good and
RUBENS HOUSE AND paintings to order. bought Elewijt Castle outside
Brussels. There he painted his
STUDIOS largest commission to date,
In 1608, he returned to Ant-
A DIPLOMATIC CAREER namely 112 works to decorate
werp as the official court A favourite of Archduchess the Royal Hunting Lodge in
painter to the Low Countries, Isabella, Rubens became Madrid, the Torre de la Parada.
a title bestowed on him by increasingly involved in diplo- By 1638, these were finally
Archduke Albert of Austria matic missions on her behalf finished and sent to Spain,
and Isabella of Spain. It was - indeed he was the one who but by then his health was
then that he bought a house finally brokered a peace deal beginning to deteriorate, and
and land on Wapper Square between Spain and England, he died in 1640 at his home
and set about redesigning it. a move that would eventually on Antwerp’s Wapper Square.
Inspired by the architecture lead to a cessation of hostili-
of Roman Antiquity and the ties between the Spanish and
Renaissance, Rubens drew the Dutch, close allies of the
up the plans for the renova- English. Rubens was a highly
tion himself, and turned an esteemed court guest all over
9
BAROQUE IN ANTWERP
THE CONTEMPORARY BAROQUE SPIRIT OF
ANTWERP LIVES ON
In 2018, the city of Antwerp will pay homage to its baroque cultural
heritage, and to Peter Paul Rubens, in particular. An icon of Antwerp,
the largest and most baroque of the five Flemish cities of art, Rubens
is the embodiment of baroque, and it is he who is credited with bring-
ing this art movement to the Low Countries when returning from Italy
in the early 17th century. It was Rubens who gave Antwerp, marked by
the capitulation of 1585, a regained pride and identity that still defines
and characterizes the city today.
10The word Baroque is derived from the Portuguese word ‘barocco’ meaning, ‘irregular pearl or stone’. This is perhaps
the perfect metaphor for Antwerp as it evokes something mysterious, multifaceted and difficult to pin down, while
remaining classic and amazingly contemporary at the same time. Rubens’ house - today one of the city’s major mu-
seums - is a baroque classic, and there are also many impressive churches in the city from this era. Fortunately, the
tradition continues and new and eccentric, baroque-like buildings are being added to Antwerp’s skyline all the time,
including Richard Rogers’ Court House and Zaha Hadid’s new Port House, while some of our great contemporary
artists based in Antwerp continue to be inspired by Rubens’ baroque tradition.
11I’M JUST A
SIMPLE MAN
STANDING
ALONE WITH MY
OLD BRUSHES,
ASKING
GOD FOR
INSPIRATION.
PETER PAUL RUBENS
12
12ANTWERP BAROQUE CITY 2018,
signed by Rubens
The city of Antwerp has ambitious plans to celebrate its impressive baroque heritage and
Rubens in particular, and a citywide cultural project is being organized under the name ABC
2018 (Antwerp Baroque City, signed by Rubens).
Curator Teju Cole, art historian and award winning
writer, will link the past with the present through arts
and artists, and emphasizes that Antwerp and Rubens
are still impressively fascinating when it comes to
imagination and splendour.
Food, fashion and shopping, glamour and glitter and a plethora of cultural and artistic initiatives
are being prepared to ensure that you can enjoy the city and its baroque heritage every day of
the year.
132
1 3
4 5
EVENTS PROGRAMME
ANTWERP BAROQUE CITY 2018, signed by Rubens
EXHIBITIONS
• MAS MUSEUM: Featuring master- • THE RUBENS HOUSE: The Rubens on lace in several historical loca-
pieces by Rubens and his con- House, the ‘palazzo’ where the tions around old town Antwerp.
temporaries, this exhibition will Flemish master and his family www.momu.be
demonstrate how the pervasive lived, will host an exposition of
Baroque style shaped the public, small-scale and intimate baroque • M HKA: The Antwerp-based
private, and secret lives and works designed by Rubens, and artist Luc Tuymans will contrast
surroundings of Antwerp’s and brought to Antwerp from collec- works from historical baroque
Flanders’ citizens in an all-en- tions all over the world. and contemporary masters at
compassing manner, manifesting www.rubenshuis.be The Museum of Contemporary
itself on every imaginable scale. Art, Antwerp.
www.mas.be • MoMu: Antwerp’s fashion museum www.muhka.be
will curate an exhibition focusing
146
7 8
1 \ GROENPLAATS 2 \ RUBENSHUIS 3 \ TEJU COLE 4 \ LUC TUYMANS 5 \ M HKA
6 \ MAS MUSEUM 7 \ CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY 8 \ MOMU
FESTIVITIES
• MIDDELHEIMMUSEUM: The open-air • The Carolus Borromeus church, • Walter Van Beirendonck, famous
sculpture park of Middelheim will the main crucible for Antwerp’s Belgian designer and Linder Ster-
host an exhibition on so-called glorious artistic contribution to ling, English visual and perfor-
‘follies’. Contemporary baroque Baroque art, will once again be at mance artist will create a Ba-
sculptures will be inspired by the the forefront of artistic innovation, roque parade, in the full tradition
extravagant garden decorations of featuring site-specific commis- of the Triumphal Entries of the
several centuries ago. sioned new work by Jan Fabre. Baroque age.
www.middelheimmuseum.be
• The Opera and Royal Ballet Flan- • ARTISTS’ STUDIOS/GALLERIES:
ders will be programming baroque the studios of contemporary
performances, under the aegis of ‘baroque artists’ Jan Fabre and
opera intendant Aviel Cahn and Annemie Van Kerckhoven will be
renowned choreographer Sidi Larbi open to the public.
Cherkaoui.
1516
PERMANENT RUBENS &
BAROQUE OFFER
ANYONE WHO SAYS ANTWERP, THINKS RUBENS
In no other city in the world will you find as many tangible reminders of
Rubens as in Antwerp, for he spent most of his life living and working there.
It was where he received his training, where he experienced family joys and
sorrows, and where he welcomed princes and dignitaries as a diplomat for
the Low Countries. It was also the place where he did his painting, becoming
by popular acclaim, the greatest painter of his era. His presence is still keenly
felt in the city. His statue welcomes visitors to the Groenplaats and more than
fifty of his works are on display in various museums and churches, often in the
setting for which they were created. His home, studio and grave are all located
in Antwerp.
TEMPORARY RUBENS EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS
Cannot wait until 2018? Visit the current long-term Rubens exhibitions and
events today and in the years to come.
• RUBENS MARKET
MARKET SQUARE | 15.08 EVERY YEAR
Peter Paul Rubens is remembered at the Rubens market festival, which
takes place each year on August 15th, around the Grote Markt.
• THE GOLDEN CABINET
ROCKOX HOUSE | OPEN UNTIL 02.07.2017
Visitors to the Rockox House in Antwerp will be able to see how an Antwerp
art collection must have appeared in the seventeenth century. More particularly,
the residence of former mayor and patron Nicolaas Rockox (1560-1640) is being
transformed into a luxurious art cabinet with top items from the Royal Museum
of Fine Arts Antwerp (currently closed for renovation) and the most important
works from the Rockox House itself. On display will be a range of fine paintings
by such masters as Rogier Van der Weyden, Hans Memling, Jan Van Eyck, Peter
Paul Rubens and Antoon Van Dyck.
• REUNION
CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY | UNTIL END OF 2017
Eight altarpieces from the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Ant-
werp are the showstoppers of the exhibition Reunion. From Quinten Metsijs
to Peter Paul Rubens.
171
RUBENS ROYAL MUSEUM
OF FINE ARTS ANTWERP
in Antwerp
currently closed for renovation, it will re-
open Spring 2019. It’ll be worth the wait
as it houses one of the finest Rubens
collections in Belgium.
2 3 4
RUBENS HOUSE THE CATHEDRAL OF PLANTIN-MORETUS
OUR LADY MUSEUM
ONZE-LIEVE-VROUWEKATHEDRAAL UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
the home of the artist for many years. four masterpieces by Rubens are on the house of Rubens’ good friend and
You can visit his studio and see his permanent display. the place where many of his engravings
impressive art collection. were printed.
5 6 7
ST. JAMES’S CHURCH ST. CHARLES BORROMEO ROCKOX HOUSE
AND ST. PAUL’S CHURCHES
this is where the artist was laid to rest. Rubens’ talents as an ecclesiastical the former residence of the Antwerp
Rubens chose the painting for the altar: baroque architect are clearly visible in mayor at the time, Nicolaas Rockox,
his own “Our Lady surrounded by the these two churches. and a friend and patron of Rubens is a
saints.” treasure trove of baroque art.
18UNIQUE RUBENS ACTIVITIES
FOR TOUR GROUPS
ON DEMAND, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
AVAILABLE FOR TOUR GROUPS:
• Exclusive visits and opening hours
• Visits behind the scenes, including private organ concerts in
historic churches
• Creative workshops: print, engraving, book binding
• Guided (Rubens) walks through the city
YOU CAN BOOK BY CALLING VISIT ANTWERP OR
SENDING AN E-MAIL:
VISIT ANTWERP
+32 3 338 81 81
guides@visitantwerpen.be
WWW.VISITANTWERPEN.BE
1920
EXPERIENCE THE
WORLD OF BRUEGEL
THE ENIGMA OF PIETER BRUEGEL THE ELDER
While little is known about certainty, which makes him a ship to the master crafts-
the life of Pieter Bruegel, truly enigmatic figure. man (renowned designer
much can be said by studying …) Pieter Coecke van Aelst
the subject matter of his Two early sources1 suggest between 1545 and 1550. It
paintings and examining that Bruegel was most likely was also during his appren-
the times he lived in. Clearly born between the years of ticeship that he may have
fascinated by nature, human- 1525 to 1530. It is recorded been trained as a manuscript
ity and humour, he doesn’t that he became a free mas- illuminator by Coecke’s wife,
quite fit the mould of one ter in the Guild of St Luke, Mayken Verhulst.
or another ‘type’ of artist. Antwerp in 1551. This leads
The truth is that we know us to conclude that he most
very little about his life with likely served his apprentice-
21
1
Lodovico Guicciardini’s account of the Low Countries from 1567, and Karel van Mander’s Schilder-boeck of 1604.22
THE GUILD OF SAINT AN ARTIST BY be viewed in the Mayer van
LUKE TRADE den Bergh Museum in Antwerp.
This museum also owns 12
Membership of the Guild of From the mid 16th century on- hand-painted wooden plates
Saint Luke in Antwerp, will have wards, Bruegel began to be more by Bruegel, each depicting a
certainly exposed Bruegel to the professionally active. By 1552, he proverb.
influence of the local Romanists had established his first contacts
for whom travel to Italy and with the print publisher Hier- FAMILY LIFE IN
appreciation of classical and onymus Cock and it is from this
humanist culture were essen- epoch that we have his earliest
BRUSSELS
tial. And so it is no surprise to surviving drawings. These draw-
In 1563, Bruegel moves to Brus-
find that he travelled to Italy ings can still be seen today: the
sels and marries Mayken Coecke,
around 1552. He is known to collection of Bruegel’s graphic
daughter of Pieter Coecke and
have met the miniaturist Giulio production which is kept by the
Mayken Verhulst in Brussels’
Clovio while in Rome, for three Royal Library of Belgium, ranks
Notre-Dame de la Chapelle
paintings by him were listed among the richest world-wide.
Church. His son Pieter Bruegel
in the latter’s will of 1578, but It is also home to a collection of
(the Younger) is born in 1564
they have not survived. Around about 90 rare high-quality prints
while Jan Breugel (the Elder)
1554 Bruegel returned to Ant- as well as three master drawings
follows in 1568. This is also the
werp, probably by way of the by Bruegel himself.
year that Breugel produces his
Alps. This journey resulted in a
last (known surviving) paintings
number of exquisite drawings Back from Italy however, Brue-
and drawings. Bruegel dies in
of mountain landscapes. These gel begins to concentrate on
1569 and is buried in the same
sketches, which formed the basis painting. About forty five works
church in which he married, the
for many of his later paintings, survive. These paintings are
Notre-Dame de la Chapelle, near
are not records of actual places scattered worldwide, but 5 of
the Sablon in Brussels.
but “composites” made in order them can be seen in the Royal
to investigate the organic life of Museum of Fine Arts in Brus-
forms in nature. sels, while the iconic painting
‘The Dulle Griet’ (Mad Meg) can
23EXPERIENCE BRUEGEL AND HIS LEGACY ALL
OVER FLANDERS AND BRUSSELS
ANTWERP
BRUEGEL’S CENTURY. ART IN ANTWERP MUSEUM MAYER VAN DEN BERGH DISPLAYS
AND THE SOUTHERN NETHERLANDS 1530 WORK BY PIETER BRUEGEL THE ELDER IN A
- 1600. (ROYAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS PERMANENT EXHIBITION
ANTWERP)
‘Mad Meg’ (Dulle Griet) is one of Bruegel’s most
This exhibition is a double celebration. Not only will famous paintings, and in contrast to many other
this be the first exhibition in the completely refur- of his works, no printed copies of it exist. It is an
bished Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Antwerp, it will ‘apocalyptic’ and ‘volcanic’ narrative painting and
also mark the 450th anniversary of the death of the rather like its author, has kept its secrets well locked
Renaissance artist Pieter Bruegel. up for precisely what it means remains a mystery. It
is full of misshapen monsters and a woman girded
Besides giving an overview of the artistic production in armour strides forth with a sword in her hands:
in Antwerp and the southern Netherlands from 1530 this is Mad Meg, a synonym in Bruegel’s time for a
to 1585, it will focus on the work of Pieter Bruegel hellcat.
himself.
www.kmska.be Also at this museum you’ll find the famous series
of proverbs Bruegel painted on twelve oak dining
plates.
www.museummayervandenbergh.be
24BRUSSELS
ROYAL MUSEUMS OF FINE ARTS IN the depths of Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s († Brussels,
1569) works. The viewer will discover the unexpected
BRUSSELS (RMFAB) details in Bruegel’s paintings which constitute the
pinnacle of the Flemish master’s craft.
Only about forty-five of Pieter Bruegel’s paintings
have been preserved, making them rare and extreme-
As part of the Bruegel / Unseen Masterpieces / proj-
ly valuable. The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Bel-
ect, 12 of Bruegel’s masterpieces from some of the
gium house the second largest ensemble of Bruegel
most prestigious museums in the world are presented
the Elder paintings.
in detail invisible to the naked eye, thanks to tech-
nology provided by the Google Cultural Institute.
Several major works are on permanent display: Fall of
the Rebel Angels (1562), the Winter Landscape with a
The resulting images, have produced innovative expe-
Bird Trap (1565), and the Census at Bethlehem (1566),
riences:
as well as one preparatory drawing for Prudence
(1558).
- At the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, 12
multimedia exhibitions are presented on interac-
tive terminals developed specially for this project.
EXPERIENCE THE BRUEGEL BOX AT THE
ROYAL MUSEUMS OF FINE ARTS BRUSSELS - The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium have also
developed the unique apparatus of the Bruegel Box.
On 15 March 2016, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts In one of the museum’s rooms, immersive videos
of Belgium and the Google Cultural Institute have - each dedicated to a painting - are projected on
launched the Bruegel / Unseen Masterpieces / project, three walls, floor to ceiling, thanks to a sophisticated
for the first time ever, bringing together eight pres- system of projectors and ultra-high resolution images
tigious international museums around the figure of provided by the Google Cultural Institute.
Bruegel the Elder.
- The Google Cardboard virtual reality viewer
Drawing on a wide spectrum of virtual and onsite provides another cutting-edge experience cen-
experiences, this unique initiative offers everyone the tred around The Fall of the Rebel Angels, using a
chance to immerse themselves in Bruegel’s master- smartphone to plunge the viewer into a 360 degree
pieces. The artworks - many of which haven’t been universe.
moved for over 100 years due to their fragility - are
now brought together with the help of cutting-edge This virtual reality experience is available on the
technology. Amongst the works are 12 paintings, YouTube channel of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts
representing a quarter of Bruegel’s painted work, of Belgium. The painting comes to life in front of
which are now online in ultra-high resolution, using your eyes: you too become one of Bruegel’s crea-
a technology as ‘gigapixel’. tures.
Using ultra-high resolution gigapixel imagery, Bruegel www.fine-arts-museum.be
/ Unseen Masterpieces / allows people to delve into
25THE WORLD OF BRUEGEL IN BLACK AND WHITE AT
THE ROYAL LIBRARY OF BELGIUM, BRUSSELS
The most complete graphic The exhibition will offer a You will be digitally immersed
collection of work by Bruegel whole new perspective on the into the black and white
is housed at the Royal Li- world of Bruegel by displaying world of Bruegel. It’s a chance
brary of Belgium. In addition the artist’s work alongside to learn who commissioned
to Bruegel’s printed oeuvre, that of his contemporaries like these different prints; how
several rare master drawings Bosch, Van der Heyden, van they were perceived, and what
by the artist himself will be Doetecum and others. their fate has been during
available for viewing during their 450-year existence.
this exceptional exhibition.
26EXPERIENCE BRUEGEL IN THE
COUNTRYSIDE IN THE ‘PAJOTTENLAND’
GAASBEEK CASTLE
Gaasbeek Castle lies about 13 km south west of Brussels and is a beautiful medieval castle, surrounded by
gently rolling hills and water. It’s where you’ll find two exhibitions on Bruegel:
• THE REDISCOVERY OF BRUEGEL: • BRUEGEL MEETS CONTEMPORARY ART:
this exhibition in Spring 2019 celebrates a genera- in the autumn of 2019 (September - early Novem-
tion of 19th century artists who were fascinated by ber), a group of contemporary artists will be inter-
the genius of the artist who contributed so much preting the artistic legacy of Bruegel with existing
to establishing the Flemish identity. Visitors will be and newly commissioned work. It’s an occasion for
immersed in a game of changing moods, not only the biggest names in modern art to prove that the
with paintings but also music, literature and film. illusionless art of Bruegel is as topical today as it
It’s a unique way of discovering Bruegel’s cynical was then.
humour, his caricatures and hidden messages, and www.kasteelvangaasbeek.be/en
the way he glorified agriculture and the rural life.
CYCLING TOUR IN THE PAJOTTENLAND
A special Bruegel cycle route has been prepared taking you past Gaasbeek Castle and St-Anna-Pede church, as
well as the lush green landscape that Bruegel depicted in his paintings. The start of the route is only a short
metro ride away from Brussels city centre. Bicycles are available for hire: Villo.be, Erasmus Hospital bike station.
en.villo.be
THE CHURCH OF ST-ANNA-PEDE
A beautiful 13th century church depicted on the painting ‘The Blind Leading the Blind’.
27DID YOU
KNOW?
Did you know that
Bruegel depicts curling
and ice hockey in the
painting ‘Hunters in
the Snow’?
Did you know that
both Pieter Bruegel’s
sons became famous
painters in their own
right?
Do you know why
fools are so often
depicted by Bruegel
and Bosch as
appearing in hollowed
out eggs? The answer
is that in Middle
Dutch, “door” means
both egg yolk and fool.
REGIONS
BRUEGEL EXHIBITION IN BOKRIJK: OTHER
‘THE WORLD OF BRUEGEL’ (FOR AVID ART LOVERS)
Bokrijk is a unique open-air museum with its own • In cooperation with the Kunsthistorisches Museum
park and walking area. It is located just 60 minutes of Wien, the Flemish Art Collection is developing
east of Brussels by car. While you can always ‘see’ a a website covering the entire oeuvre of Bruegel
Bruegel in either Antwerp or Brussels, this is a chance with the Rubenianum responsible for the scientific
to ‘live’ it. documentation.
‘The World of Bruegel’ brings Breugel’s painting to life • The ‘Bruegel’ Youth Hostel in Brussels will be
in a fully immersive experience. You will find farmsteads, entirely refurbished on the theme of Bruegel and
objects, even landscapes from the time of Bruegel. At var- his paintings. It is ideally located a few steps away
ious strategic points along the Bruegel route, visitors from Central Station, in the shadow of the Notre-Dame
will be invited to enter 4 different worlds housed de la Chapelle, where Bruegel was buried.
in impressive barns and fine examples of historic
craftsmanship themselves. Ideal for families wanting
an unforgettable day out.
28PERMANENT
BRUEGEL PRODUCTS
1
2
3
\ 1 The Bruegel walk in
Neerpede
\ 2 3 paintings and 1 drawing
in the Royal Museums of
4
Fine Arts Brussels
\ 3 2 works in the Mayer van
den Bergh Museum
\ 4 Notre-Dame de la Chapelle
Church, Brussels (where he
married and was buried)
29BOOK REVIEW 30
BRUEGEL:
NEW INSIGHTS ON
A MASTERPIECE
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Fall of the Rebel Angels is the first comprehensive
book on one of the most cherished masterpieces of the Royal Museums of
Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels.
Books about a single artwork the hybrid falling angels are animals and artefacts from
are relatively rare, but this carefully composed of natu- the ‘new world’. By zooming
book not only explains the ralia (things made by nature) in on the events of the year
meaning of the work, but and artificialia, (things made 1562, the author offers fas-
also gives considerable detail by man) as they were col- cinating insights on Bruegel
about the life and times of lected in art and curiosity and his move to Brussels, the
one of Flanders’ most original cabinets of the time. city, the court, the chambers
Renaissance artists. of rhetoric and the Brussels
This places Bruegel in the tapestry industry.
The author argues that with centre of the emerging global
his Fall of the Rebel Angels knowledge society. Living in This book shows how study-
(1562), Pieter Bruegel turned a Antwerp at the time of the ing a masterpiece can offer
traditional devotional theme creation of this painting, real insights into the master’s
into an innovative commen- Breugel will have had an life, place and time, 450 years
tary on his own time. More expanded worldly conscious- after he painted his last work.
particularly, the book reveals ness, for it was a major sea-
some long-kept secrets about port and will have been the
the painting. It explains that arrival point for many exotic
PIETER BRUEGEL THE ELDER, FALL OF THE REBEL ANGELS
AUTHOR: Tine L. Meganck PUBLISHER: Silvana Editoriale | Cahier n° 16 of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
Available at the Museum Shop and in the Visit Flanders Shop: www.flandersshop.be
3132
2020
THE GHENT ALTARPIECE
IS COMING HOME
A TURNING POINT IN ART HISTORY
The paintings made in the Southern Low Countries during the 15th and early 16th centuries are
a particular high point in the history of art. The period saw the rise of a group of artists referred
to as the “Flemish Primitives”. Thanks to their mastery of the new medium of oil paint and their
eye for detail, they propelled the art of painting to never before seen levels of lifelikeness and
impact, in the process changing the course of art history forever. It was a time when commissions
not only came from the various courts and religious institutions, but also from cities and their
citizenry. For the first time, the painter enjoyed a prominent position in society.
33UNMATCHED VIRTUOSITY A COVETED MASTERPIECE curred on the 11th April 1934 when
WITH THE PAINTBRUSH two panels from the work were
Jan’s most famous creation is stolen, one of ‘John the Baptist’
Jan Van Eyck was a major figure the Ghent Altarpiece “Adoration and another of the ‘Just Judges’. A
in the painting revolution taking of the Mystic Lamb”, made for ransom of a million Belgian Francs
place in the Low Countries during Saint Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent. was demanded, and in a show
the early part of the 15th centu- It is a 12-panel polyptych that he of good faith by the perpetrator,
ry. With his precise observation worked on with his older brother one of the panels, that of ‘John
and natural rendering of reality, Hubert, also a painter. Jan finished the Baptist’, was returned, but no
his brilliant use of colours and the commission in 1432 following money was ever paid. So sadly the
mastery of oils – a technique he Hubert’s death in 1426. It was the last piece of the puzzle is still miss-
perfected - Van Eyck took paint- most famous oil painting of the ing. One of the themed bypaths in
ing to new heights. His employer, epoch. STAM, the Ghent city museum, tells
the Duke of Burgundy (Philip the the story of the theft of one of the
Good), ensured that he was well Since its first viewing in 1432, the side panels of the Ghent Altar-
paid and able to paint “whenever magnificent altarpiece measuring piece, ‘The Just Judges’ panel. The
he pleased”. He was also asked to 4.40 x 3.40 m is considered one of hunt for the missing panel is still
handle a number of diplomatic vis- the world’s finest art treasures. Un- on and introduces a light-hearted
its, including one to Lisbon in 1428 fortunately it has been the victim note.
to arrange the Duke’s forthcoming of 13 crimes and 7 thefts since its
marriage with Isabella of Portugal. installation. The latest theft oc-
34STORY
THE RESTORATION
OF THE GHENT ALTARPIECE
“For more than four hundred years, we haven’t actually been
viewing the real Ghent Altarpiece.”
Commissioned by the merchant, world-renowned. “We discovered the panels. The colours, details,
financier and politician, Jodocus that large parts of the work were folds and depth that have been
Vijd, then the equivalent of the painted over during a 17th century revealed are of remarkable quality
mayor of Ghent, the Ghent Altar- restoration. That was the accepted and perfectly match the style of Van
piece was designed for the Vijd way of restoring a painting at the Eyck. This also explains why experts
chapel in today’s Saint Bavo Ca- time. But the good news is that had previously grouped details of
thedral. It’s a work of art that has the original layer is still in good this piece among some of Van Eyck’s
spoken to the imagination ever condition and so we can, in prin- lesser work. Now we know that this
since its creation in 1432. ciple, remove the top layer,” says is because the work of the real Van
Devolder. Although in the world of Eyck has largely been hidden under
THE LATEST RESTORATION restoration a conscious choice is newer layers of paint,” suggests
sometimes made to keep the traces Devolder. Further details, such as a
Since October 2012, Bart Devolder of time, the restorers are con- spider’s web just above the heads
has coordinated the restoration vinced that, in this case, it is the of Joos Vijd and Elisabeth Borluut
project at the KIK (Royal Institute right thing to do to remove the have also recently been revealed
for Cultural Heritage), a Belgian top layer. “We have already made during the restoration.
institution whose expertise is small windows in certain areas of
35SEE THE RESTORERS AT WORK
Until 2019/2020, when it is the Museum of Fine Arts,
estimated that the resto- the Caermersklooster (an
ration will be complete and old convent) and the Saint
put back in its original place Bavo’s cathedral.
on display in Saint Bavo’s
Cathedral, you can visit the An exhibition on the work’s
Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) rich history, spanning almost
in Ghent where the Ghent six centuries, can be viewed
Altarpiece is being restored. at Ghent’s Caermersklooster
Visitors will gain an excel- for the duration of the
A COMBI-TICKET FOR THE
lent insight into the resto- restoration period. The
3 RELEVANT LOCATIONS ration work. The restorers exhibition is called ‘Het Lam
COSTS 12 EURO. are currently also present at Gods ont(k)leed!’ (The Ghent
the MSK every last Wednes- Altarpiece Revealed). The
day of the month for a Q&A. exhibition will be supple-
YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO:
Visitors may also be inter- mented with temporary
- The Museum of Fine Arts ested to go on the Van Eyck exhibits focusing on specific
walking tour of 15th century themes, such as the origin of
in Ghent
Ghent, which connects the the wooden panels and the
- The Caermersklooster three important locations: iconography of the work.
- Saint Bavo’s Cathedral
363 MAJOR MUST-SEES
FOR 2020
UNIQUE VAN EYCK EXHIBITION IN THE
1 MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS IN GHENT
FROM FEBRUARY TO MAY 2020
This exhibition will zoom in on the relationship
between Van Eyck’s work and the high cultural
circles in which he was active, in particular the
Burgundian court of the Duke, Philip the Good. It
will create different experiences around the oeu-
vre of Jan Van Eyck just before the reinstallation
of the Ghent Altarpiece in Saint Bavo’s Cathedral.
The Duke was known as a collector of paintings
and many other “rarities”. With his refined taste,
he attracted the best artists and craftsmen of
his time, and this resulted in a court that was
filled with treasures and wonders. Not unjustly,
historians see a sophisticated political strategy in
this quest for artistic brilliance, with the dazzling
splendour also serving as a display of the ruler’s
political influence and military power.
www.mskgent.be
NEW VISITOR CENTRE
2 IN SAINT BAVO’S CATHEDRAL
OPENING SCHEDULED IN MAY 2020
The return of the restored Ghent Altarpiece to
St. Bavo’s Cathedral scheduled for 2019/2020 will
coincide with the opening of a brand new visitor
centre in the crypt of the cathedral.
The visitor centre will address various topics
including the remarkable history of the painting
(including the current restoration campaign) and
the significance of the artwork itself. Besides its
religious meaning and its historical value, the
visitor centre will also explain its link with the
urban society of the 15th century and clarify some
typical Christian customs and symbols.
3 VAN EYCK YEAR IN GHENT
Ghent 2020 will be all about van Eyck and the
Ghent Altarpiece. Expect a colourful mix of music,
poetry and street theatre, as well as modern and
street art. Exceptionally, the year’s annual Ghent
Festivities in July 2020 will also be dedicated to
van Eyck.
37EXPERIENCE THE FLEMISH PRIMITIVES
IN BRUGES IN THEIR NATIVE HEARTLAND
GROENINGE MUSEUM HISTORIUM BRUGGE
The Groeninge Museum houses a world famous collection You can experience what it was like to live in Bru-
of Flemish Primitive paintings, with masterpieces by Jan ges during the Golden Age in the Historium. See for
van Eyck, Hans Memling, Hugo van der Goes, and Gerard yourself what medieval Bruges was really like: walk
David. An exciting and ambitious project covering this around the harbour, take a look in the workshop of
particular period of art is in preparation. Van Eyck and soak up the atmosphere in the streets.
www.museabrugge.be Or simply smile at the delicious scents and bawdy
laughter coming from the bathhouse.
SAINT JOHN’S HOSPITAL MUSEUM www.historium.be
Saint John’s is a former pilgrim’s hospital and church
that has been transformed into a museum. There is
art and medical objects from the history of the clinic,
plus a special section dedicated to one of Bruges’
most famous residents, the Flemish Primitive painter
Hans Memling.
www.museabrugge.be
38FLANDERS BREATHES
THE FLEMISH
PRIMITIVES
392
1 3
2018 - 2020 EXPERIENCE
THE FLEMISH MASTERS IN SITU
In more than 60 sites, the Flemish Masters in situ project will highlight the various 15th, 16th and 17th-century paint-
ings that can still be admired in churches, cathedrals, castles, convents and many other places of heritage throughout
Flanders. The original artworks will (of course) be the main attraction, however a number of locations will also display
modern challenging art by leading contemporary Flemish artists from today.
The project, scheduled to start in the year 2018, is a chance to experience the region’s lesser-known masterpieces in the
actual place where it was first displayed. Uniquely perhaps, it will give tourists a chance to discover the relationship
between artwork and place, the surroundings, and its meaning in a historic and modern-day context.
While this project will focus on six famous Flemish cities (Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Leuven and Mechelen), the
project will be available all over Flanders with smaller towns with top pieces also taking part.
404
5
1 \ VAN LOON, SCHERPENHEUVEL
2 \ BASILICA OF SAINT MARTIN,
HALLE
3\ PARK ABBEY, LEUVEN
4 \ CASTLE MARNIX DE
SAINT ALDEGONDE
5 \ GRIMBERGEN ABBEY
6 \ CHURCH SAINT JOHN’S HOSPITAL,
BRUGES
6
41M HKA: A FORUM FOR
GLOBAL CONTEMPORARY ART
The Flemish Primitives, led by Van Eyck, had already established Flanders in the vanguard of visual art in the 15th
century and each succeeding epoch has confirmed how much the region has remained a bastion of expression and
creative ideas. The humanists continued the tradition in the 16th century through work by Pieter Bruegel the elder as
did Rubens and Baroque in the 17th century, while Flanders was at the heart of modern art in both the 19th and 20th
centuries being a hotbed for the contemporary avant-garde movement. With plans to offer a rich and challenging
experience to a broad range of audiences, the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA) appreciates this history
and fully embraces the power of “Flemish Masters.”
M HKA is in the process of redefining how it delivers a and Panamarenko. A second area will display transient
complete and innovative experience to audiences, and works that respond to current events in the art world
as a consequence is renewing the design and feel of its and in society at large while another will highlight
buildings and infrastructure. This reconstruction project, temporary monographic exhibitions by emerging artists
scheduled for completion by the spring of 2017, targets from Flanders and the rest of the world. A fully renovat-
the collections and the displays, as well the museum’s ed reception area will fully inform visitors about what’s
research, archiving and information systems, which will available in the museum and other cultural institutions
be made more visible to the public. in Antwerp, Flanders and neighbouring regions.
A number of exhibitions will feature in the museum, A range of multi-media tools aimed at families with chil-
each with its own focus and narrative. Visitors will be dren will support the entire offer, while the latest digital
able to enjoy masterpieces from the contemporary art technology will bring the M HKA experience to various
collection of Flanders as they will be included in the audiences with distinct needs and expectations.
permanent collection. It’ll be a unique opportunity to see
famous works by leading contemporary Flemish artists
such as Jan Fabre, Luc Tuymans, Koen van den Broek www.muhka.be
42Responsible editor Legal deposit
VISITFLANDERS - Peter De Wilde D/2016/5635/23/4
Grasmarkt 61 - 1000 Brussels
All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced, stored in a database or
Contact
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VISITFLANDERS
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Copyright beeldmateriaal / Copyright images
Toerisme Vlaanderen / VISITFLANDERS, portret Margaretha van Eyck, Lukasweb /
p 2: Lam Gods gesloten, Lucasweb / p 3: Visit Antwerpen, Mayer van den Bergh /
p 4: Terras: Visit Antwerpen, Rubens aanbidding der Koningen: Lucasweb / p 5: Portrait of a
Man: The National Gallery (London), Istock, / p 6 - 7: Art cabinet: Erwin Donvil, Mayer van den
Bergh, Visit Antwerpen / p 8: Stad Antwerpen / p 10 - 11: Vist Antwerpen /
p 12: Stad Antwerpen / p 13: OVL Kathedraal: Tom D’Haenens / p 14: foto 1: Stad Antwerpen,
foto 2: Rubenshuis, foto 3: Stad Antwerpen , foto 4: studio Tuymans, foto 5: M HKA, foto 6: Visit
Antwerpen, foto 7: Stad Antwerpen, foto 8: MOMU / p 16-17: Stad Antwerpen /
p 18: Venus Frigida: Lucasweb, foto 1- 2: Stad Antwerpen, foto 3:Istock , foto 4: Stad Antwerpen,
foto 5: Istock, foto 6: Istock , foto 7: Visit Antwerp / p 19: Kruisafneming: Lucasweb / p 20: Mayer
van den Bergh / p 21: KMSKB: Tom D’haenens / p 22-23: Winterlandschap met schaatsers en
vogelknip: KMSKB, J. Geleyns- Ro Scan / p 24: Dulle Griet: Mayer van den Bergh, Bokrijk: Luc Dae-
lemans, Erwin Christis, Pieter van Stee / p25: Visit Brussels / p 26: Koninklijke Bibliotheek /
p 27: Istock / p 28-29: Luc Bohez / p 30: KMSKB / p 31: foto 1: Luc Bohez, foto 2: Tom D’Haenens,
foto 3: Mayer van den Bergh, foto 5: Istock / p 32: Portrait of a Man: The National Gallery (Lon-
don) / p 33: Lam Gods, Lucasweb / p 34: Istock / p 35: Lucasweb / p 36: Lukasweb /
p 37: Visit Gent / p 38: Visit Bruges, Michel Vaerewijck,
432018 2019 2020
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