Flemish Art Collection

Three museums of fine arts join forces

The Flemish Art Collection is a structural partnership joining the three main museums of fine arts in Flanders: the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in , the Groeninge Museum in Bruges and the Museum of Fine Arts. The museums’ collections have all been developed in a similar way. Together, they offer a unique, representative overview of Flemish art from the 15th to the 20th century and historically.

The three museums complement each other perfectly as partners sharing the same responsibility in our cultural heritage. By exchanging their expertise, they strive for a more sustainable, high quality management and international awareness of their collections, including works that are part of the world patrimony.

The partnership is truly visible in joint exhibitions and promotions, but also concerns rather ‘hidden’ subjects like insurance, security, restoration and conservation expertise. Finally, the three museums have laid a foundation for a worldwide renowned research network.

Three museums, one Flemish Art Collection

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, the historical art museum of the Flemish Community, is situated in the heart of the trendy Southern part of Antwerp. The stately 19th century building houses some magnificent works of art. The comprehensive collections present a nice overview of the history of artistic life in Flanders and . You will discover an impressive collection of Baroque art works by Rubens and his contemporary colleagues. The 19th century Salon artists and the Modernist painters and Rik Wouters are also represented. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts exhibits prominent Flemish works alongside international artists from Italy, the Netherlands and France, such as Jean Fouquet, Titiaan, Frans Hals, Auguste Rodin and Amedeo Modigliani. Enjoy the surprising and multifaceted experience!

The Groeninge Museum, one of the municipal museums of Bruges, offers a fascinating overview of six centuries of visual arts in Belgium. The perfect place to admire the world-famous Flemish Primitives, as the collection includes art works by Jan Van Eyck, Hugo van der Goes, Hans Memling and Gerard David. In addition to this, the Groeninge Museum offers a selection of works from the 18th and 19th century Neoclassicist and Realist art movement, milestones from Belgian and masterpieces from Flemish . The exhibition galleries of the Groeninge Museum have been fully renovated in 2002-2003. This has resulted in an airy and spatial interior, offering modern surroundings to both old and contemporary art.

The Ghent Museum of Fine Arts was designed in 1898 by the wellknown architect Charles van Rysselberghe as a Classicist temple of the arts. During the past few years, the museum building has been thoroughly renovated and restored. On 26th May 2007 it will reopen to the public. From then on it will be possible to admire it in its full glory. Two masterpieces by Jheronimus Bosch are part of the top collection of old art in the Museum of Fine Arts. The core of the collection however is made up by art works from the 19th and 20th century. An extensive collection of , and drawings introduces you to the 19th century art movements, from and Romanticism, and Symbolism through to the 20th century Expressionism and .

Contact

www.flemishartcollection.be

Coordination

General Coordination

Geert Souvereyns

T +32 (0)9 225 49 24 E [email protected]

Communication

Kristien Verheyen

T +32 (0)9 225 49 34 E [email protected]

Management

Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp

ƒ Paul Huvenne | General Director ƒ Marjolijn Barbier | Business manager

T +32 (0)3 242 04 21

Groeninge Museum Bruges

ƒ Manfred Sellink | Artistic Director Musea Bruges ƒ Walter Rycquart | Business Manager Musea Bruges ƒ Till-Holger Borchert | Curator Groeninge Museum

T +32 (0)50 44 87 02

Museum of Fine Arts Ghent

ƒ Robert Hoozee | General Director ƒ Carine Van Bruwaene | Business Manager

T +32 (0)9 240 07 32