Flemish Hearts

In the past, a Flemish custom stipulated that a mother should receive a jewel upon giving birth. Along the same lines, children would give their mother a 'Flemish heart' for their birthday or for mother’s day. This gift probably originated in the devotion to Mary, mother of God. The 'heart’ of the jewel generally revealed a diamond, symbolizing Mary's heart. The custom was disseminated throughout the Southern Netherlands, from Antwerp, during the eighteenth and the nineteenth century. Thanks to trade contacts, it eventually became wide-spread throughout Western Europe. The exhibition "A Heart of/for Flanders” (working title) reviews the symbolism, visual language and the dissemination of this type of jewel. The museum’s own collection of "Flemish hearts” forms the cornerstone of this exhibition.

Event starts June 27, 2010 and ends September 21, 2010