An unprecedented exhibition showcasing 25 paintings by 15th century Flemish artist Dieric Bouts, has opened at the Museum M in Leuven.
This collection is the largest assembly of the works of the celebrated Flemish master, who spent much of his life in Leuven.
The exhibition focuses on Bouts as a narrator of his age. His artworks converse with contemporary images, highlighting the relevance of the themes he explored and the techniques he used.
Visitors will witness images of global superstars like Beyoncé and Rihanna juxtaposed with representations of the Madonna. Christ’s portraits are compared with Belgian personalities Nafi Thiam and Eddy Merckx.
The artist’s imagined landscapes bear intriguing resemblances to today’s science fiction films.
There is also an emphasis on the techniques that Bouts employed to impart depth to his paintings. One room is dedicated to the artist’s pioneering work with perspective.
Visitors can marvel at masterpieces such as the 'Triptych of the Descent from the Cross,' which has left the Royal Chapel of Granada for the first time since the 16th century, and 'The Last Supper,' usually displayed in the collegiate church of St. Peter’s on Leuven’s Grand Square, which concludes the exhibition.
The exhibition runs until tomorrow as part of the four-month-long biennial KU[N]ST Leuven festival, which began on 22 September.
