Bruges Fine Art                   

Fine Art in Bruges 

The city of Bruges had undisputedly its heyday in the 14^th and the 15^th century. First as a mercantile town, then as a painter’s paradise as enriched local patrons begun charging artists with sumptuous commands in the newly invented and quickly popular oil painting technique. At the end of the 15^th century, only the most eminent of Italian cities could dispute Bruges' position as the most important art center of the western world.

Today Bruges is better known for its exceptionally maintained medieval character than for being on the forefront of the visual arts.  Despite the considerable international fame that the city of Bruges enjoys, and notwithstanding the fact that the town and its citizens still have their particularly poignant  commercial sense, there is currently no visual arts festival, nor art fair, worthy of mention.

The internationally renowned Bruges International Fine Arts and Antiques Fair, held in October each year and that took place under the Belfry tower, closed its doors in 2003 after having persevered in its mission for more than nineteen years. It is being said that the general slump on the world antique market at that particular time forced the fair to cease its activity.

A present-day alternative for the Bruges visitor is the annual Art Nocturne Knocke in neighboring Knokke-Heist.

NOT TO MISS MUSEUMS in Bruges are the Groeningemuseum and to a somewhat lesser degree, the Hospital of St. John (Memling museum), remarkable for their 15^th century Flemish Primitives. While featuring relatively few works, the latter throws its exceptional decor in the balance. Go in the morning, usually both museums get crowded from noon onwards. There is also the 'Arentshuis', featuring some beautiful work by the Bruges-born British artist Frank Brangwyn (1867-1956).

As for ART GALLERIES there aren't that many. As you may understand most of the commerce in Bruges is of dubious quality and caters for the tourists. There are a couple of quality galleries dealing in traditional Flemish and Dutch painting: for the Old Masters in the Mariastraat and for more recent periods in the Hoogstraat.

Finally, when you want to rest your feet for awhile and get away from the crowds… feel free to come along for a drink and admire my own modest collection, which has the added advantage of being… for sale.

Michael

 Memling 'The Portinaris' (detail) -  This

  one is in the Met!

 Brangwyn, master draughtsman

  Brangwyn, unfortunately not in Bruges!

  My place