Hidden Gems. Seven Centuries of Masterpieces from Mechelen

Museum Hof van Busleyden– 11.11.22 to 25.06.23

‘Hidden Gems’ showed the visitor the very best of what Mechelen has produced throughout the centuries, through masterpieces by artists such as Rubens, Jordaens and Faydherbe. Many of these hidden gems were from museum, private and heritage collections and were being exhibited to the public for the first time. There were more than 100 works of art from various time periods and various disciplines, such as painting, jewellery, sculpture and printmaking. For this exhibition, a timeless city made of steel was constructed in which the visitor was invited to wander around.

Highlights included four altarpieces painted by Peter Paul Rubens for Saint John's Church in Mechelen and the church of Our Lady Across the Dyle, which had returned to Mechelen for the first time since they were taken to France by the new revolutionary government in 1794.

In this context, the museum also organised the 'Art in Motion' seminar about art during the French period. The topics of theft, restitution, the creation of museums and the tumultuous histories of these artworks were addressed in various lectures and debates.

A special edition of a city map was released alongside the exhibition, which guided visitors to highlights in the city such as the residences of Mechelen artists, historic churches containing Flemish Masters, and other remarkable places such as the former residence of miniatures painter Mayken Verhulst, the Rik Wouters Garden and the vanished Hostel. The city map was distributed freely.