Rare and indispensable

Magritte, Bacon, Ensor, Moore, Jordaens, Rubens … These are just some
of the world-famous names on display at the MAS in autumn 2023. The
not-to-be-missed exhibition 'Rare and Indispensable' brings a unique
selection of masterpieces from the Flemish masterpiece list. Works of art
you would otherwise have to travel all over Flanders to see, or which were
never even publicly accessible, can now be temporarily admired in one
museum hall. All in honour of the 20th anniversary of the 'Flemish
Masterpiece Decree'.
Tuesday 31 October 2023 until Sunday 25 February 2024 from 10:00 to
17:00
Over twenty museums, large and small, as well as churches, libraries and
private collectors, temporarily lend masterpieces from their collections to
the MAS. All works are part of the Flemish Masterpiece List or have been
acquired by the government since 2003.
Famous paintings by Hugo van der Goes, Rubens, Jordaens, Ensor,
Magritte and Bacon, sculptures by Lucas Faydherbe and Henry Moore, as
well as precious silver, medieval manuscripts and a rare piece of furniture
by Pierre Gole, ébeniste du roi of the French king Louis XIV, can
exceptionally be admired in one place at the same time.
Curators Thomas Leysen and Ben Van Beneden, members of the
'Topstukkenraad' (Masterpiece council), selected all the masterpieces for
this exhibition.
The MAS has 6 Flemish masterpieces in its collection. Two of these will be
exposed in the exhibition, two other works are on display in the Visible
Storage on the 2e floor (free entrance to the public).
'Rare and indispensable' will be a must-see, celebrating the 20th
anniversary of the Flemish Masterpiece Decree. Visitors can expect a
surprising journey through European art history.