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Christianity and Art
Belgium
BELGIUM
ORGANIZATIONS AND WEBSITES
Creative Arts Europe (CAE). Network of artists & art lovers who aspire to train the church in a Christian worldview, and permeate European culture with art that offers hope and life and enrich their society through the arts. Active in 7 countries: Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Latvia and France. www.creativeartseurope.org (E)
KADOC, the Documentation and Research Centre on Religion, Culture and Society of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. KADOC collects and makes available heritage (monographs and journals, audiovisual and textual records) concerning the interaction between religion, culture and society in Flanders in its national and international context from the second half of the 18th century. The centre also organises colloquia and study days, exhibitions and concerts. http://kadoc.kuleuven.be/nl/index.php (NL, F, E)
Kerknet. Website with information about different art forms in its relation to the church. Organises exhibitions and cultural manifestations. www.kerknet.be (NL)
Open kerken. Information about church buildings in Belgium and links to comparable organizitions and websites in the rest of Europe. http://openkerken.be/ (NL, E, F, D)
PARCUM. Museum and centre for the preservation and documentation of the cultural heritage of the church in Flanders. Extensive website. http://www.parcum.be
Pro Arte Christiana, Oud-Heverlee was founded in 1957 after the example of similar movements outside Belgium by the Franciscan convent of Vaalbeek. The main goal was to renew religious art in Flanders. Two monks of the convent, Geroen de Bruycker and Rik van Schil, who were eminent artists themselves, invited other artists to exhibit their work. They also gave advice concerning the renovation of ca. 400 churches.
TOPA. Practical information, photos and descriptions of the monumental churches of Antwerp. www.topa.be (NL,F,E,D,I,Sp)
YOT. An experiment concerning space, man and religion in the Magdalenakerk in Bruges (Schaarstraat). YOT organises small and big events with temporary installations in which interaction and spirituality are leading notions in order to create a zone of meaning in the church building. www.yot.be (NL,F,E,D,Sp)
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. KADOC, the Documentation and Research Centre on Religion, Culture and Society. KADOC is an interfaculty research centre of the K.U. Leuven focusing on the study of religion, culture and society. KADOC collects and makes available heritage (monographs and journals, audiovisual and textual records) concerning the interaction between religion, culture and society in Flanders in its national and international context from the second half of the 18th century. The centre also organises colloquia and study days, exhibitions and concerts. kadoc.kuleuven.be (NL,F,E)
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Liturgical Institute. https://theo.kuleuven.be/en/research/centres/liturgical_institute (NL, E)
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. HERKUL, interdiscipilnairy Institute for Cultural Heritage. Deals with questions like "What exactly is cultural heritage? How can we better understand, preserve and appreciate this heritage? And how does it contribute to our wellbeing and sustainable development?" https://nieuws.kuleuven.be/en/content/2020/cultural-heritage-takes-centre-stage-in-new-ku-leuven-institute
JOURNALS AND MAGAZINES
Irénikon (F, E) is an ecumenical journal published by the Benedictine monks of the monastery in Chevetogne (Belgium). These monks adhere in their liturgy to the orthodox tradition in their church and to the Roman Catholic tradition in their chapel. For more than 80 years the journal Irénikon has published articles about theology, history, spirituality and monastic life, stimulating dialogue between the eastern and western European churches. Deals also with icons. With an English summary of the main articles. Revue Irénikon (monasteredechevetogne.com) (F)
KADOC News letter (NL, E) is an e-newsletter of the Documentation and Research Centre on Religion, Culture and Society of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. KADOC collects and makes available heritage (monographs and journals, audiovisual and textual records) concerning the interaction between religion, culture and society in Flanders in its national and international context from the second half of the 18th century. The centre also organises colloquia and study days, exhibitions and concerts. KADOC-r-Newsletter – KADOC Documentation and Research Centre on Religion Culture and Society (kuleuven.be) (NL,E)
KOORTS, the heritage magazine of KADOC, informs about religious, cultural and social heritage. 
https://kadoc.kuleuven.be/6_nieuwsbrieven/koorts/index (NL)
PARCUM-magazine focuses on the care for religious heritage. https://www.parcum.be/nl/ (NL)
Streven (NL), Prinsstraat 15, Antwerpen. Cultural and social journal for Flanders and the Netherlands. Deals with philosophy and religion, literature and art, film and theatre, politics and society. Also many book reviews. After 2019 only digital. www.streventijdschrift.be (NL)
Tertio (NL) is a weekly journal which follows and analyses current events and developments from a Christian (Catholic) perspective. Each week one article deals with art. www.tertio.be (NL)
CHURCHES WITH EXHIBITIONS
Churches with exhibitions:
Antwerp: Sint Carolus Borromeus church
Antwerp: Sint-Anna-ten-drieën, Hanegraefstraat on the Antwerp-Left Bank. www.anna3.be (NL)
Bruges: Magdalenakerk. Space, man and religion: an experiment in the Saint Magdalene’s Church. Contemporary art forms an important point of departure to create a spiritual place of meaning in the church building. www.yot.be (NL, E, F, D, S)
Brussels: Sint Michiels and Sint Goedele cathedral: every year four exhibitions of contemporary art.
Brussels: Sint-Niklaaskerk-aan-de-Beurs
Ghent: Sint-Niklaaskerk
Ghent: Sint Bataafs Cathedral.
Hasselt: the Cathedral
GALLERIES
Bruges:
- Manna Kunsthuis, Heilige-Geeststraat 3, Brugge. Sculpture, paintings and calligraphy are being exhibited; cards, art books and little art objects are being sold. This is ‘religious’ art – either based on Christian iconography or religious in a broad sense. http://www.mannakunsthuis.be/
MUSEUMS
Antwerp:
- Rubenshuis: http://www.rubenshuis.be (NL, F, E, D)
- Rubenshuis: http://www.rubenshuis.be (NL, F, E, D)
Bastogne (in province Luxembourg):
- Musée en Piconrue – Religious art and popular faith practices in Ardenne and Luxemburg, Place en Piconrue 2, Bastogne.
- Musée en Piconrue – Religious art and popular faith practices in Ardenne and Luxemburg, Place en Piconrue 2, Bastogne.
Bruges:
- Cathedral’s treasury: Paintings by, among others, Dirk Bouts, Hugo van der Goes, manuscripts, copper memorial plaques and silver and gold artefacts.
- The 12th-century Saint John’s hospital with Memling Museum famous for its works by Flemish primitive painter Hans Memling.
- Cathedral’s treasury: Paintings by, among others, Dirk Bouts, Hugo van der Goes, manuscripts, copper memorial plaques and silver and gold artefacts.
- The 12th-century Saint John’s hospital with Memling Museum famous for its works by Flemish primitive painter Hans Memling.
Brussels:
- At the Nationale Basiliek van het Heilig-Hart in Koekelberg (near Brussels, started in 2007): Museum for Modern Religious Art. In this museum: Ronald Devolder, Thomas Lange, Geneviève Asse, Antoni Tàpies, Luc Hoenraet and Ton Frenken. http://www.basilicakoekelberg.be (NL, F, E, D)
- At the Nationale Basiliek van het Heilig-Hart in Koekelberg also the Museum Zwartzusters with paintings, sculpture, silverware, furniture and lacework from the 14th – 19th century. http://www.basilicakoekelberg.be (NL, F, E, D)
- At the Nationale Basiliek van het Heilig-Hart in Koekelberg (near Brussels, started in 2007): Museum for Modern Religious Art. In this museum: Ronald Devolder, Thomas Lange, Geneviève Asse, Antoni Tàpies, Luc Hoenraet and Ton Frenken. http://www.basilicakoekelberg.be (NL, F, E, D)
- At the Nationale Basiliek van het Heilig-Hart in Koekelberg also the Museum Zwartzusters with paintings, sculpture, silverware, furniture and lacework from the 14th – 19th century. http://www.basilicakoekelberg.be (NL, F, E, D)
Cuesmes:
- La Maison du Marais, Rue du Pavillon 3, Cuesmes (Mons), the house were Vincent van Gogh lived between 1879 and 1880, invites visitors to follow Van Gogh's footsteps. Worth seeing: the original work "Les Bêcheurs" (1880). Here you can discover a complete scenography, an audiovisual show, Vincent's letters, faxes of his letters, etc.
- La Maison du Marais, Rue du Pavillon 3, Cuesmes (Mons), the house were Vincent van Gogh lived between 1879 and 1880, invites visitors to follow Van Gogh's footsteps. Worth seeing: the original work "Les Bêcheurs" (1880). Here you can discover a complete scenography, an audiovisual show, Vincent's letters, faxes of his letters, etc.
Dilbeek:
The Open Air Bruegelmuseum Dilbeek shows 12 reproductions of Bruegel paintings, placed along a signposted walking path starting at the church of Sint-Anna-Pede (Herdebeekstraat, Dilbeek). These reproductions are larger than the originals: the finest details become well visible. The museum is freely accessible at any time equaling a virtual visit to several museums within a few hours. https://www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be/producten/bezoeken/bezienswaardigheden/openluchtmuseum-bruegel-in-het-pajottenland/
The Open Air Bruegelmuseum Dilbeek shows 12 reproductions of Bruegel paintings, placed along a signposted walking path starting at the church of Sint-Anna-Pede (Herdebeekstraat, Dilbeek). These reproductions are larger than the originals: the finest details become well visible. The museum is freely accessible at any time equaling a virtual visit to several museums within a few hours. https://www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be/producten/bezoeken/bezienswaardigheden/openluchtmuseum-bruegel-in-het-pajottenland/
Drogenbos (Brussels):
- FeliXart Museum, Kuikenstraat 6, Drogenbos (south side of Brussels). With work by Felix De Boeck (1898 – 1995) and exhibitions. Felix de Boeck belonged to the first modernistic artists of Belgium. The work of this catholic artist is described as deeply religious. http://www.felixart.org (NL, F)
- FeliXart Museum, Kuikenstraat 6, Drogenbos (south side of Brussels). With work by Felix De Boeck (1898 – 1995) and exhibitions. Felix de Boeck belonged to the first modernistic artists of Belgium. The work of this catholic artist is described as deeply religious. http://www.felixart.org (NL, F)
Geraardsbergen:
- HUGE - Museum Hunnegem-Geraardsbergen. In 2018 opened museum in the Romanesque church and the Paxzaal about the history of the church and the city of Geraardsbergen. http://www.MuseaHunnegem.be
- HUGE - Museum Hunnegem-Geraardsbergen. In 2018 opened museum in the Romanesque church and the Paxzaal about the history of the church and the city of Geraardsbergen. http://www.MuseaHunnegem.be
Ghent:
- Saint Bavo Cathedral and The Ghent Altarpiece or Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, completed 1432. The Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck is a very large and complex Early Netherlandish polyptych panel painting which was once in the Joost Vijdt chapel at Saint Bavo Cathedral, but was later moved for security reasons to the chapel of the cathedral.
- Saint Bavo Cathedral and The Ghent Altarpiece or Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, completed 1432. The Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck is a very large and complex Early Netherlandish polyptych panel painting which was once in the Joost Vijdt chapel at Saint Bavo Cathedral, but was later moved for security reasons to the chapel of the cathedral.
Heverlee:
- PARCUM offers temporary thematic exhibitions at the crossroads of religion, art and culture, often based around never shown before heritage from churches, abbeys and monasteries. Attention is paid in particular to the significance of these themes and this heritage in today's multi-religious and superdiverse society. As a museum for dialogue, PARCUM deliberately focuses on the interaction between contemporary (global) themes and religious heritage, between believers and non-believers, between different denominations and philosophies, between young people and the elderly, ... With this approach, PARCUM desires to stimulate engagement in visitors of various philosophical and cultural backgrounds. The museum positions itself as an open meeting place, a place for critical and creative thinking, for wonderment and development, for reflection and dialogue. PARCUM addresses issues of identity and creates new forms and contents to alleviate social tensions, for instance, by focusing on questions about interreligiousness and interculturalism, citizenship and personal development. http://www.parcum.be
- PARCUM offers temporary thematic exhibitions at the crossroads of religion, art and culture, often based around never shown before heritage from churches, abbeys and monasteries. Attention is paid in particular to the significance of these themes and this heritage in today's multi-religious and superdiverse society. As a museum for dialogue, PARCUM deliberately focuses on the interaction between contemporary (global) themes and religious heritage, between believers and non-believers, between different denominations and philosophies, between young people and the elderly, ... With this approach, PARCUM desires to stimulate engagement in visitors of various philosophical and cultural backgrounds. The museum positions itself as an open meeting place, a place for critical and creative thinking, for wonderment and development, for reflection and dialogue. PARCUM addresses issues of identity and creates new forms and contents to alleviate social tensions, for instance, by focusing on questions about interreligiousness and interculturalism, citizenship and personal development. http://www.parcum.be
Koksijde:
- Abbey Museum Ten Duinen. With exhibitions. http://www.tenduinen.be/tenduinen.html (NL, F, D, E)
- Abbey Museum Ten Duinen. With exhibitions. http://www.tenduinen.be/tenduinen.html (NL, F, D, E)
Latem (Sint-Martens Latem en Deurle):
- Museum Gevaert-Minne, Kapitteldreef 45. The museum shows works of various artists who lived in Latem and 14 stations of the second series of Stations of the Cross by Albert Servaes. http://www.sint-martens-latem.be/website/7-www/142-www/153-www.html (NL)
- Museum Gevaert-Minne, Kapitteldreef 45. The museum shows works of various artists who lived in Latem and 14 stations of the second series of Stations of the Cross by Albert Servaes. http://www.sint-martens-latem.be/website/7-www/142-www/153-www.html (NL)
Leuven:
- Sint Pieterskerk; the choir of the church is a Museum for Religious Art. In this museum you can find The Last Supper by Dirk Bouts.
- Sint Pieterskerk; the choir of the church is a Museum for Religious Art. In this museum you can find The Last Supper by Dirk Bouts.
Liège:
- Museum for Religious Art and Art from the Meuse Area, Ilot Saint-George Quai de la Batte, Liège.
- Treasury of the Cathedral, Rue Bonne-Fortune, Liège.
- Museum for Religious Art and Art from the Meuse Area, Ilot Saint-George Quai de la Batte, Liège.
- Treasury of the Cathedral, Rue Bonne-Fortune, Liège.
Maaseik:
- Church treasury of the Sint-Catharinakerk. With the Codex Eyckensis, the oldest gospel manuscript of the Benelux, dating from the Carolingian period (750-900 AD) and the oldest remaining European carpets (Anglo-Saxon) from the early 8th century. http://www.museamaaseik.be/nl/Kerkschatten.php
- Church treasury of the Sint-Catharinakerk. With the Codex Eyckensis, the oldest gospel manuscript of the Benelux, dating from the Carolingian period (750-900 AD) and the oldest remaining European carpets (Anglo-Saxon) from the early 8th century. http://www.museamaaseik.be/nl/Kerkschatten.php
Mol:
Jakob Smitsmuseum, Sluis 155a, Mol with a collection that consists primarily of works by Jakob Smits and the Molse School. http://www.jakobsmits.be (NL, F, E, D)
Jakob Smitsmuseum, Sluis 155a, Mol with a collection that consists primarily of works by Jakob Smits and the Molse School. http://www.jakobsmits.be (NL, F, E, D)
Sint Truiden:
- Provincial Museum for Religious Art, Capucienessenstraat 1-3. Paintings (16th-19th century), sculptures (14th-19th century), icons, graphic works, liturgical silver and textiles, devotionalia and relics. http://www.museum-minderbroeders.be (NL, F, E, D)
- Provincial Museum for Religious Art, Capucienessenstraat 1-3. Paintings (16th-19th century), sculptures (14th-19th century), icons, graphic works, liturgical silver and textiles, devotionalia and relics. http://www.museum-minderbroeders.be (NL, F, E, D)
Tongeren:
- Teseum, the treasury museum of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe basilica of Tongeren, which has an extensive and rich collection. http://teseum.be/ (NL)
- Teseum, the treasury museum of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe basilica of Tongeren, which has an extensive and rich collection. http://teseum.be/ (NL)