The exhibition 'Verbeeld Verleden', opening on September 25 at the provincial house in Antwerp, invites visitors to see history through different eyes. The exhibition examines how the past has been depicted over the last two centuries and why these depictions constantly change.
By bringing together works from various periods, the exhibition reveals how artists repeatedly give new meanings to the same past. 'Verbeeld Verleden' encourages viewers not only to look at what is shown but also at how and why that image is created.
The expo features, among other things, the monumental paintings by Godfried Guffens, which grandly and compellingly portray Antwerp's history. Also included are reconstruction drawings of the vanished Sterckshof Castle, demonstrating how a lost building was reimagined.
Furthermore, attention is given to Expo 58, presenting a mix of forward-thinking and historical imagination in 'Vrolijk België'. Recent reflections are also present with graphics by Luc Tuymans, whose images of World War II leave much unsaid, allowing for interpretation.
The art exhibition 'Verbeeld Verleden' is free to visit at the Antwerp provincial house from September 25, 2026, to January 15, 2027.
