Arts and heritage

Museum Mayer van den Bergh

Flanders is synonymous with heritage. Our famed Flemish Masters’ genius and inimitable craftsmanship helped move art history in a different direction. Since then, many generations of creative people have followed their example, both in the arts and in other areas. We have castles and cathedrals, churches and belfries, tapestries and beguinages, artistic masterpieces and entire historic city centres. All attest to Flanders’ rich cultural heritage.

History is also present at Flanders Fields, which stand as silent but deafening witness to the First World War, bearing a message of universal peace. Flanders’ rich legacy is tangible, something which can be seen and felt.

The Fall of the Rebel Angels - © Google Art Project

©Google Art Project

Flemish Masters

Discover the Flemish Masters, a group of artists who revolutionized Western European painting. Learn about their lives, work, and where to see them in Flanders.

Nieuwpoort, Vigor Boucquet, Oordeel van Cambyses, (c) Dominique provost

©2018 D.Provost

Flemish Masters in Situ

Van Eyck. Rubens. The Flemish surrealists and expressionists. In Flanders, old and modern masters are at home. It is here where they lived and worked.

Poppies in Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields

From 1914 to 1918, Flanders Fields was a major battle theatre on the Western Front during the First World War.

Kasteel Gaasbeek

Castles and Gardens

Opulent palaces, sturdy fortresses, historic castles and country estates, located along Flemish waterways.

Who are the Flemish Masters?

Van Eyck, Portrait of a Man (Self Portrait) © Jan van Eyck. Portrait of a Man

© Jan van Eyck. Portrait of a Man (Self Portrait_). 1433. © The National Gallery, London

Jan van Eyck

Jan van Eyck, the genius behind the Ghent Altarpiece

Hans Memling - Mansportret © Royal Museums of Fine Arts Belgium, Brussels photo J. Geleyns - Ro scan

Royal Museums of Fine Arts Belgium, Brussels photo J. Geleyns - Ro scan

Hans Memling

Hans Memling, grand master with an eye for detail

Portret Bruegel

©Johannes Wierix - KBR

Pieter Bruegel

Pieter Bruegel, a brilliant enigma

Self-portrait of Rubens ©Rubenshuis Antwerpen collectiebeleid

©Rubenshuis Antwerpen collectiebeleid

Peter Paul Rubens

Peter Paul Rubens, master of Baroque

Zelfportret Anthony Van Dyck © Rubenshuis Foto: Michel Wuyts en Louis De Peuter

Rubenshuis Foto: Michel Wuyts en Louis De Peuter

Anthony van Dyck

Anthony van Dyck: master of refinement and elegance

Ensor - Self portrait with flower hat ©Mu.ZEE, www.lukasweb.be – Art in Flanders, foto Hugo Maertens

©Mu.ZEE, www.lukasweb.be – Art in Flanders, foto Hugo Maertens

James Ensor

James Ensor, pioneer at the North Sea

27 WWI memorial sites in Flanders Fields recognised as Unesco World Heritage

The sun shines on a cemetery in Zonnebeke of fallen soldiers from World War I.

Copper Tree Media

Castles and gardens outside the city walls

Discover the splendour and grandeur of Bruges and the Bruges Hinterland.
Experience heritage in the former Duchy of Brabant.

Kastelen en tuinen buiten de stadsmuren

© Photo Marc Wallican & AI-generated figure by d-artagnan.be

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