This production was the largest and most prestigious Jan van Eyck exhibition ever organised. Only around twenty authenticated works by the master survive worldwide – and more than half of them were temporarily on view in Ghent. The eight restored exterior panels of the Ghent Altarpiece, together with the yet-to-be-restored depictions of Adam and Eve, returned to the Museum of Fine Arts Ghent and were, for the first time, presented in dialogue with other masterpieces by Van Eyck, his workshop, and his contemporaries, complemented by Italian masterworks. Thirteen museum galleries were completely redesigned for the occasion.
Pièce Montée created a sober yet powerful scenography that gave both the masterpieces and the visitors ample space, with a strong focus on safety, conservation, and aesthetic experience. The high international requirements of lending institutions (including the British Museum) were combined with comfort and smooth visitor flow for a very large audience.
Together with lighting designer Chris Pype, we developed a refined lighting concept that showcased the paintings at their very best. Display cases with anti-reflective glass and integrated climate control combined minimalist design with state-of-the-art technology.
At the heart of the exhibition, a video-wall installation brought the Ghent Altarpiece to life, accompanied by commentary from researchers and curators. The exhibition route brought visitors literally closer to Van Eyck’s genius, capturing the same sense of wonder that his contemporaries must have felt when encountering his work.
The scenography—simple yet strong—received widespread acclaim:
“Scenographically, it surpasses the recent retrospectives of Brueghel and Da Vinci.” – De Standaard
“A magnificent, almost unsurpassable Van Eyck exhibition.” – De Volkskrant
The exhibition was named Exhibition of the Year by the British art magazine Apollo and offered a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors from around the world.
01.02.2020 – 30.04.2020
Production: Bruns, Chris Pype, Atento, Danse La Pluie, Printville
