Flemish Masters in their place: seven religious heritage sites in and around Leuven in the spotlight

11/07/2024

The brand new art route Meesters in Verbeelding [Masters in Imagination] brings to life the grandeur of seven Leuven artists, often at the site where their masterpiece was created. You will hear the whole story from the narrator, at a listening post.

Churches, abbeys, monasteries, beguinages... Belgium is bursting with heritage gems. Some are internationally known, others lead a more reclusive life even though their beauty and expressiveness deserve much better. Non-profit organisation Parcum, the museum and expertise centre for religious art and culture of the Flemish government, is bringing seven of these valuable but dormant artworks in and around Leuven , the City on the Dyle, to the attention of the general public. The narrator strikes up a conversation with the figures who were important to the heritage object and its location. It is a distinct and fascinating approach.  

You can marvel at stories involving master painters Dieric Bouts and Pieter-Jozef Verhaghen, sculptor Cornelis Floris alias de Vriendt, the stucco ceilings of Jan-Christiaan Hansche and others. In Saint Peter's Church, Saint John the Baptist Church, Saint Gertrude's Church and Saint Quentin's Church in Leuven itself, the Norbertine Abbey of Park in Heverlee, Saint Amandus Church of Erps in Kortenberg and Saint Catherine’s Church of Zuurbemde in Glabbeek, all in the province of Flemish Brabant.   

A fascinating journey through time, space and art.