Belgium Section 17: Cultural Institutions

oUTZ ARMY SERVICE FORCES MANUAL Li-Mi~3 -- ----- ~-CI---~-r - -- P~----9 I---ICI-------- CIVIL AFFAIRS HANDBOOK BELGIUM SECTION 17: CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS -----~- -- -c- = -- III" --~--~-~-~e p~-- IC~ Dissemination of restricted matter. - The information con- tained in restricted documents and the essential characteristics of restricted material may be given to any person known to be in the service of the United States and to persons of undoubted loyalty and discretion who are cooperating in Government work, but will not be communicated to the public or to the press except by authorized military public relations agencies. (See also par. 18b, AR 380-5, 28 Sep 1912.) HEADQUARTERS. ARMY SERVICE FORCES. 13 MAY 1t944 ARMY SERVICE FORCES MANAL M361-17 Civil Affairs -- - I - - - I -II I CIVIL AFFAIRS HANDBOOK BELGIUM SECTION 17: CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS - - ~e~-~P~--~CC --- L- C- - II I - - --- - - - - HEADQUARTERS, ARMY SERVICE FORCES, 13 MAY 1944 * * Dissemination of restricted matter. - The information con- tained in restricted documents and the essential characteristics of restricted material may be given to any person known to be in the service of the United States and to persons of undoubted loyalty and discretion who are cooperating in Government work, but will not be communicated to the public or to the press except by authorized military public relations agencies. (See also par. 18b, AR 380-5, 28 Sep 1942.) - ii - NUMBERING SYSTEM OF ARMY SERVICE FORCES MANUALS The main subject matter of each Army Service Forces Manual is indicated by consecutive numbering within the following categories: Ml- M99 Basic and Advanced Training Mdo0 - M199 Army Specialized Training Program and Pre- Induction Training M200 -. M299 Personnel and Morale 1300 - B399 Civil Affairs M400 - M499 Supply and Transportation M500 - M599 Fiscal 1600 - M699 Procurement and Production M700 - M799 Administration M800 - M899 Miscellaneous M900 - up Equipment, Materiel, Housing and Construction HEADQUARTERS, ARMY SERVICE FORCES, Washington, 25, D. C., Army Service Forces Manual M 361-17, Civil Affairs Handbook, Belgium: Cultural Institutions has been prepared under the supervision of the Provost Marshal General, and is published for the information and guidance of all concerned, /sX 300.7 (18 Nov. 4 3)7 By command of Lieutenant General SOMERVELL: W. D. STYER, ^ Major General, General Sta Chief of Staff. OFFICIAL: J. A. ULIO, Major General, Adjutant General. This study on Cultural Institutions in Belgium was prepared for the MILITARY GOVERNMENT DIVISION of the OFFICE OF THE PROVOST MARSHAL GENERAL by the AMERICAN COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION AND SALVAGE OF ARTISTIC AND HISTORIC MONUMENTS IN' WAR AREAS OFFICERS USING THIS MATERIAL ARE REQUESTED TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS AND CRITICISMS INDICATING THE REVISIONS OR ADDITIONS WHICH WOULD MAKE THIS MATERIAL MORE USEFUL FOR THEIR PURPOSES. THESE CRITICISMS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE CHIEF OF THE LIAISON AND STUDIES BRANCH, MILITARY GOVERNMENT DIVISION, PMGO, 2807 MUNITIONS BUILDING, WASHINGTON 25 D.C. INTRODUCTION Purposes of the Civil Affairs Handbook. The basic objectives of civil affairs officers are (1) to assist the Commanding General by quickly establishing those orderly conditions which will contribute most effectively to the conduct of military operations, (2) to reduce to a minimum the human suffering and the material damage resulting from disorder and (3) to create the conditions which will make it possible for civilian agencies to function effectively. The preparation of Civil Affairs Handbooks is a part of the effort to carry out these responsibilities as efficiently and humanely as is possible. The Handbooks do not deal with plans or policies (which will depend upon changing and unpredictable developments). It should be clearly understood that they do not imply any given official program of action. They are rather ready reference source books containing the basic factual information needed for planning and policy making. li-. ir r CIVIL AFFAIRS H ANDBOOKS TOPICAL OUTLINE 1. Geographical and Social Background 2. Government and Administration 3. Legal Affairs 4. Government Finance 5. Money and Banking 6. Natural Resources 7. Agriculture 8. Industry and Commerce 9. Labor 10. Public Works and Utilities 11. Transportation Systems 12. Communications 13. Public Health and Sanitation 14. Public Safety 15. Education 16. Public Welfare 17. Cultural Institutions This study on Cultural Institutions in Belgium was prepared for the MILITARY GOVERNMENT DIVISION of the OFFICE OF THE PROVOST MARSHAL GENERAL by the AMERICAN COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION AND SALVAGE OF ARTISTIC AND HISTORIC MONUi!ENTS IN WAR AREAS. vi- TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION.... ............... 1 CATEGORIES OF MONUMENTS . 1 THE BELGIAN AUTHORITIES . 2 ART HISTORY OF BELGIUM..... 2 ARRANGEMENT AND CLASSIFICATION OF LISTS . 4 PROVINCES Antwerp . .. Brabant . .(West-Vaanderen) Flandre Occidentale (WeOost-Vlaanderen) Flandre Orientale Oost-Vlaanderen) . Hainaut . .. Liege . Limbourg . Luxemburg . .. Namur . .. IMPORTANT DATES IN BELGIUM'S HISTORY . 50 BIBLIOGRAPHY . .... .. .......... .. INDEX L _ BELGIU BELGIUM INTRODUCTION The Importance of Protecting Monuments The Belgian nation is divided into racial groups, the Walloons and the Flemings, whose principal difference is that of language (French and Flemish). These two groups, however, are united by many bonds of history, religion, and culture, and not least by the common love of the beauties of their country. The majority of the people are de- vout Catholics, and to them the old'churches and ecclesiastical treasures are more than mere artistic creations; they are objects of veneration and worship. Furthermore, the Belgians are proud of the many great secular monuments, town halls, belfries, guild hall, etc. which still reflect the glory of the old Flemish cities, whose burghers fought heroically for their independence from feudal rulers and formed the most powerful and flourishing city-communities of medieval Europe. The flourishing tourist trade which has centered around these monuments has been an important economic factor in the life of the Belgians and is an added reason for their protection. Categories of Monuments Among the monuments and works of cultural importance in Belgium the following groups are outstanding: i. ARCHITECTURE. The many old churches (10th-18th century), for the most part medieval, are of great significance to the population.. The interior decoration of these churches (stained glass, pulpits, choir-stalls, etc.) often dates from the early 16th century or from the Baroque period, 17th century, and is most elaborate. In a number of churches the precious medieval treasures are still preserved. There are many Abbeys, most of them founded in the Middle Ages or earlier, but now (if they escaped destruction during the French Revolution) very much altered and used for other purposes. These abbeys, as well as the many old Convents, Hospices and Beguinages, bear witness to the long tradition of clerical and religious life in Belgium. In the secular architecture the Town Halls, Cloth Halls and Belfries are landmarks of the old Flemish city culture. Most of them belong to the late medieval period or the picturesque transitional phase of the early 16th century which is characterized by the Flamboyant style.. Some of the medieval Town Gates are preserved, as relics of the ancient fortifications. The Guild Houses and other old gabled Houses (15th-17th century) abound. Many chateaux, dating from the medieval to the Baroque period, are found all over Belgium, usually outside the cities, at prominent points. They tell of the long reign of feudal families in the history of Belgium up to the period of the French Revolution. The so-called 'Gravensteen', situated in the center of Ghent, is the most powerful Romanesque castle in western Europe. II. SCULPTURE. Some medieval sculpture has survived on the portals of the churches or in their interiors. The churches also contain a number of interesting tombstones from the late medieval to the Baroque period. There are many 19th century fonuments, erected in public places, in honor of the Belgian monarchs or of great men in Belgian history and culture, and also a great number of War !emorials, especially in those re- gions which suffered severely during the last World War. A group of important early Flemish sculptures is preserved in the Museum of Tournai, and in the Muske Royaux d'Art - 1 - BELGIUM INTRODUCTION et d''Histoire, Brussels, while the Brussels Museum of Sculpture is richest in modern works of the 19th and 20th centuries. III. PAINTINGS. The two great periods of Old Flemish painting, the 15th and the 17th centuries, are represented in the Museums as well as in the Churches. The great- est masterpiece of the 15th century, the Altar by the van Eyck Brothers, was in the Church of St. Bavo in Ghent before it was taken by the Nazis. Three of the most monu- mental altar-paintings by Rubens are owned by the Cathedral of Antwerp. But the Muse- ums, especially those in Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels and Ghent, contain the majority of old Flemish masterpieces. Some of them are in private collections. IV. DECORATIVE ARTS, such as old tapestries, furniture, etc. are preserved largely in the Museums or public buildings (Town Halls, etc.), and are often of considerable value. Many precious items of medieval goldsmith work, such as reliquaries, ecclesiastical vessels, etc., are preserved in the church treasuries. V. MATERIAL ON ETHNOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY.

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