Can art save the world? This is a question which already made many generations of artists, curators and spectators think deep. The question stayed in spite of all this attention unanswered, and maybe it is even better so. Ensor ou le sens des images makes however, as it seems, fun of this whole discussion. Is it possible that the specific view of the Liegois artist Jacques Charlier is to blame?
Tag: art
Visions of Hope
In the exhibition ‘8 Visions of Hope’ the Dutch artist Rini Hartman presents his artistic interpretation of the Millennium Development Goals.
Eurocompetition
The contest Eurocompetition, organised by the European Commission, has been held from September to December 2008. Its aim? To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the euro and the Economic and Monetary Union.
Art and Money
The National Bank of Belgium supports like a number of other companies and central banks contemporary artists. Since the acquired works are hung up on the walls of its premises, they are not usually seen by the public. From time to time a work is presented in a public hall, like the Museum of the NBB, where it can be admired by the public at large.
Magritte for a mere 500 francs
The 500 francs Magritte type, issued 16th April 1998, was the last new note of a series that started some 147 years ago. 1998 was also the first centenary of Magritte’s birthday. To commemorate this Belgian surrealist artist the Brussels Museum of Fine Arts organised an exhibition with no less than 335 pieces out of his vast body of work.
The Museum’s façade
Before looking at the Bank’s oldest façade in detail, a few more words on the Hôtel of the Governor itself. The Old French word, “hôtel” has been used since the 18th century to signify the urban residence, temporary or permanent, of a person of high rank, in this case the Governor of the National Bank of Belgium. The statutes of the Bank stipulated that the Governor should live in the capital; in return, the Bank was to be responsible for the cost of furnishing and maintaining his town residence.
Money, source of vanity: a pictorial warning
Frans Francken II, a talented Flemish painter (Antwerp, 1581-1642) who ran an important workshop in his hometown, belonged to an artistic family. Both his father and his son were painters as well, although he was the most productive and the best known of the Francken dynasty.
The Compagnie des Bronzes and lighting at the Hôtel of the Governor
On 5 May 1850, King Leopold I gave royal assent to the bill providing for the creation of the National Bank. After being located initially in the rue Royale, the Bank decided in 1859 to construct its new headquarters in the rue du Bois Sauvage on the north side of the collegiate church of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula.
Victor Hugo: shareholder of the National Bank
The document which we are displaying is a letter from Victor Hugo acknowledging receipt of shares bought from the National Bank of Belgium. Victor Hugo was born at Besançon in 1802 and died in Paris in 1885 at the age of 83. He is the most important of the French romantic authors. Hugo produced a very diverse range of works, writing stories, lyrical poetry, plays in verse and prose, political speeches and a great many letters.
The zappozap: a decorative axe as a means of payment
In 1887, two years after acquiring the Congo as his personal kingdom, Leopold II signed a decree organising the currency system, and giving the Belgian franc the status of the single currency. However, the Congolese people were very reluctant to use this new coinage, and it was a long time before the standard currency became generally accepted.
