Determining the Bruges origin of sculptures in the Gruuthusecollection: a possible approach
Kristel Van Audenaeren
• The archeological Society of Bruges (SAB) started in 1865
• They were huge fans of the medieval times• Collection to preserve the past, to document
the past, but also as an object of study
Seat of wisdom© KIKIRPA
Available sourcesEntries written in the registers of the SAB• Sometimes we know a bit of the provenance: a name, a religious order, a guild…• When the provenance concerns a guild, that gives us more clues, at least we
know where to start• When the provenance concerns a religious order or…in some cases even a
church• When the provenance concerns a person, a member of a noble family, that
could be a lead• When the provenance concerns a person, but an antiquary, this would be a very
difficult search• But…that’s about all we have and all we know for sure• Not all sculptures in the registers come with a provenance, then it’s nearly
mission impossible…
Available sources
Research & booksBruges origin?Destroyed sources
- iconoclasm- French revolution- WWI and WWII
Restoration
Zacharias komt hier
Saint-Michael, Sint-Jacobskerk Brugge, © KIKIRPA
Saint-Michael, Gruuthuse
© Prado
Invoegen schoorsteenwang
Elien Vernackt
Elien Vernackt