Bruges developed throughout the Middle Ages as a world city, a hub in global networks of trade, culture and politics. At its peak, Bruges seemed to be the epicentre of the world. But the city was never isolated. Bruges was constantly in contact with other regions and cultures through trade, travel, faith and ideas. And it was precisely these connections that gave it an important role in world history.
The prestigious inaugural exhibition Bigger Picture explores these connections. What mark did traders from Scandinavia, crusaders from Jerusalem or scholars from the Islamic world leave on the Flemish city, and vice versa?
Different ages and continents
From the North Sea, the Christian East and the Mediterranean, to courtly culture and the so-called “new” world. Five chapters full of unique, historical objects and stories from different ages and continents highlight the interactions between medieval Bruges and the rest of the world. In collaboration with renowned British historian and author prof. dr. Peter Frankopan and experts prof. dr. Jan Dumolyn, prof. dr. Jo Van Steenbergen, dr. Axel Langer and prof. dr. Wim De Clercq, the exhibition shines a light on crucial but often overlooked stories about our history.
Art and objects from leading museums around the world
In addition to objects from Musea Brugge’s rich collection, Bigger Picture also brings unique works of art and historical objects from leading museums around the world to Bruges. From Hans Memling’s Passion of Christ from Musei Reali Torino – Galleria Sabauda (Turin), to the anonymous Portrait of Suleiman from Kunsthistorisches Museum (Vienna) or Bellini’s iconic Portrait of Mehmet II from The National Gallery (London). From exceptional manuscripts such as the only rarely lent Portrait of Alexios Komnenos I from Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican) and the famous Nuzhat al-mushtāq fī ikhtirāq al-āfāq – also known as Tabula Rogeriana – from Bodleian Libraries (Oxford), to archaeological finds and impressive tapestries.
Curators
Chief curator: Prof. Dr. Peter Frankopan (Oxford University)
Curator: Sibylla Goegebuer (Musea Brugge)
Guest curators: Prof. Dr. Wim De Clercq (Ghent University), Prof. Dr. Jan Dumolyn (Ghent University), Dr. Axel Langer (Rietberg Museum), and Prof. Dr. Jo Van Steenbergen (Ghent University)