EXPERIENCE BRUEGEL IN THE ‘PAJOTTENLAND’ (THE COUNTRYSIDE AROUND BRUSSELS) GAASBEEK CASTLE BRUEGEL’S NEW VISITOR CENTRE OPENING 2020 To mark the 450th anniversary of Pieter Bruegel’s death in 2019, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium will open a Bruegel visitors’ centre in an original 16th century house in Brussels’ city centre. Explore the world of Bruegel, go back in time to walk his streets, visit the church where he married and was buried, discover through the means of digital tools where he found inspiration and enjoy culinary specialties from the days of yore.
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This house will provide visitors with an authentic 16th century experience including a painter’s atelier. An entire floor, full of natural light, will be dedicated to Bruegel’s working methods. The original environment will be recreated through virtual and augmented reality tools, along with sensorial experiences that make the experience unique. The house is also within easy walking distance of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium and its 16thcentury art collection (Bruegel the Elder, Bruegel the Younger, Pieter Coecke Van Aelst, Frans Floris, Joachim Patenier, …) and the Royal Library. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Participate in the daily life of the world renowned painter, learn about his family, his artistry and profession. In our workshop we invite you to create your own artwork, prepare your own paint and print your design on our press.
TRADE CONTACT Laurence Ryckaert reservation@fine-arts-museum.be T +32 (0)2 508 33 33 / +32 (0)2 508 34 52
The house in the Hoogstraat is the ideal location to display the history and art of Brussels’ from this period, particularly as Emperor Charles (Charles V) had made Brussels his home, making it the powerful centre of his vast empire “where the sun never set”.
TICKETS (tbc) Adult: 10 EURO Senior (+65 years): 8 EURO Youth (6-25 years), teacher, disabled and companion: 4 EURO Friend of the Museums, ICOM member, child (- 6 years): FREE REDUCED TRADE FEE: 8 EURO
Gaasbeek Castle lies about 8 miles (13 km) south west of Brussels and is Flanders’ most romantic castle, surrounded by dramatic park scenery. One of the estate’s crown jewels is its magnificent Museum Garden, boasting a dazzling amount of old fruit varieties and forgotten vegetables. The castle is nested in the gently rolling hills of the bucolic Pajottenland, an authentic, idyllic landscape. This is where Bruegel’s most beautiful vistas have survived. It would be very difficult to find a better place for an exhibition on the Master’s rediscovery.
FEAST OF FOOLS: BRUEGEL REDISCOVERED The exhibition “Feast of Fools” celebrates a large number of 20thcentury artists who rediscovered Bruegel and addresses the question why he became one of Flanders’ leading cultural icons. Internationally renowned contemporary artists will also be interpreting his artistic legacy with both existing and new works. Visitors will be immersed in a game of changing moods, not only with paintings but also music, literature and film. It’s a unique way of discovering Bruegel’s cynical humour, his caricatures and hidden messages,
and the way he glorified landscapes and the rural life. Visitors can expect a fascinating journey through the castle’s labyrinth interiors, cleverly enhanced by one of Berlin’s most creative theatre companies, Rimini Protokoll. An added attraction is a visit to the castle’s brasserie for a glass of authentic artisan geuze, brewed just like it was in Bruegel’s time. PRACTICAL INFORMATION www.kasteelvangaasbeek.be/en GAASBEEK CASTLE Kasteelstraat 40, 1750 Gaasbeek
TRADE CONTACT Nancy Verhulst Nancy.Verhulst@cjsm.vlaanderen.be T +32 (0)2 531 01 44 OPENING HOURS FROM 6 APRIL TO 28 JULY 2019 Tue - Sun: 10 am - 6 pm (last visit at 5 pm) Open on public holidays. Audio guides available in English, Dutch and French Tours can be booked by email: bezoek.gaasbeek@vlaanderen.be PARKING: parking is available for 350 cars, 4 busses
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