Museum Fritz Mayer van den Bergh exhibits Brueghel's " Mad Meg "

Sunday, 18 May 2008 23:33

Antwerp, Belgium - The museum preserves the art treasures that the Antwerp collector Fritz Mayer van den Bergh (1858-1901) was able to gather during his too short life. The lion's share of his collection and its most famous works illustrate the era with paintings of the Flemish Primitives, with altarpieces and monumental sculptures. Fritz Mayer van den Bergh was one of the first to show a special interest in Pieter Brueghel the Elder and was the discoverer of his "Mad Meg ".

His mother, Henriëtte Mayer van den Bergh, always supported his passion for art. Upon his sudden death, she had a purpose-built museum erected (1901-04) to preserve and to perpetuate his life's work. The building was completely built in the style of the 16th century. Its façade, with late-Gothic and renaissance decorations not only refers to the Golden Age of Antwerp, it testifies to the artistic sense and preferences of the collector himself.

Fritz Mayer van den Bergh was particularly fascinated with works of art that had, in his time, hardly been studied or had, by then, gained little recognition. He focused on Netherlandish art of the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries.

Museums that are the collections of just one man are quite exceptional, yet, some of them rank among the finest. Fritz Mayer van den Bergh and his self-collected museum are a case in point. A large number of magnificent works from the Middle Ages and the Age of Renaissance were brought to Antwerp through his efforts. Paintings, statues, tapestries, drawings, stained glass, and many other works of art have found a permanent place in an attractive house of a suitable historical style. In every 'room', the collector succeeds in seducing you with his refined taste, exceptional knowledge, and keen eye for quality.

Visit the Museum Fritz Mayer van den Bergh at : www. museum.antwerpen.be/mayervandenbergh/index_eng.html

---

Click on logo below to add this article to your favorite Social Website ~