Neo-classicist paintings from Groeningemuseum Bruges added to List of Flemish Masterpieces

This deals with the Portrait of Augustin van Outryve by Joseph-Benoît Suvée, the monumental painting with the presentation of the Death of the wife of Belisarius by François-Joseph Kinsoen and Lord Byron on his deathbed by Joseph-Denis Odevaere.

Neo-classicism Trial list

In 2017, Musea Brugge received the task from the Flemish government to produce a 'Neo-classicism trial list' by the June 2018, which would be presented to the council that decides upon the Masterpieces. Along with an advisory group of experts from the field, Musea Brugge went in search of important Neo-classicist works of are that were found in Flanders and that were deserving of the designation of 'masterpiece'. On the basis of strict criteria, an inventory was made up of rare and indispensable works of art from the years 1760-1830.

From this inventory, the council for the Masterpieces made a selection of paintings, sculptures and drawings from public collections, churches and private holdings. Suvée's monumental canvas with the Resurrection of Christ from the St Walburg's Church in Bruges was also selected by the committee and now stands on the List of Masterpieces.

Drawings

A selection of unique and essential seventeenth-century drawings and collections of drawings was also recently definitively protected as being a Flemish masterpiece. The selection was the result of an investigation done by the Rubenianum and the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR). Four of the chosen works belong to the Musea Brugge collection.

Decree of Masterpieces

The Decree of Masterpieces ensures for the protection of moveable cultural heritage that must be preserved by the Flemish Community in Flanders. This deals with objects that have a special archaeological, historical, cultural-historical, artistic or scientific significance. Along with this, these works come into consideration for a subsidised conservation and restoration.