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

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Saint-Michael, Sint-Jacobskerk Brugge, © KIKIRPA

Saint-Michael, Gruuthuse

© Prado

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