Being the second largest city in Belgium – in terms of population -, Ghent has a lot to offer to art lovers and museum goers. There are more than ten major museums and art galleries in and around the boundaries of the city that will satisfy the hungry mind of an expert let alone an amateur. One of the world’s most extensive collections of Flemish artists can be found here in Ghent right in the heart of the city inside the Museum of Fine art. Artists like Peter Paul Rubens with the renowned “The Virgin and Child Adored by Angels” or Hieronymus Bosch who is widely remembered for “The Garden of Earthly Delights” along with James Ensor and others. The museum is located at Citadelpark, Fernand Scribedreef 1 with easy access from every part of the city and the small entry price of 5 Euro. If you are keen on contemporary art you cannot afford to miss the Municipal museum of Contemporary Art. It is located at Citadelpark, 9000 Gent and at the time writing this article the entry fee is only Euro 6. Why not catching up with history and travel into the 19 century? The Museum of Industrial Archaeology and Textile in Ghent takes to the time when Ghent had a strong saying in textile industry. The museum is situated at Minnemeers 9, 9000 Gent and is open 7 days a week. One of the most interesting museums of all, from the writer’s point of view, of course, is the Museum for the History of Sciences. It can actually keep one busy for hours with activities that get you the feeling of a real scientist and among them all the microscopes are really fascinating. Fortunately despite being a relatively small city finding a good hotel wouldn’t be difficult at all provided you know where to search for it. As always the internet proves to be an indispensable tool in the hand of ones who need it. It might be handy to know a few names that play big in Ghent accommodation so you will be able to choose you hotel easier. The internationally known brand “Express by Holiday Inn” has a strong present in Ghent with it four-star hotel right next to the UZ University. It has a suitable location and can easily be access from all the attractions that the city offers. As expected from any Holiday Inn hotel it also have a restaurant and a bar which allows the guest to unwind a little. Near the central station and in a very quite area there is another super-value hotel for both comfort and economy centered plans. Although there is not restaurant at the hotel but that would be no problem since it is actually surrounded by many good local restaurants that offer Belgium and European foods. The four-star NH Gent hotel actually provides far behind its stars and it is only fair to call in an unofficial five-star hotel. So get on a train for an unforgettable trip to a hidden capital inside the city and tie up your shoes for a travel through the era of Flemish artists.
Posts Tagged ‘Peter Paul Rubens’
Museums And Art Galleries In Ghent
December 25th, 2009National Gallery, Victoria
October 16th, 2009
Founded in 1861, The National Gallery of Victoria is the largest and oldest public art gallery in Australia. Located in Melbourne, the gallery currently houses over 63,000 works of art by various local and international masters of the field. As part of the gallery, the National Gallery of Victoria Art School performs a necessary service by providing academic art training facilities for Australian residents. The gallery has permanent exhibitions, as well as seasonal and temporary displays.
The National Gallery of Victoria is well-known for its International Collection, holding great works by Rembrandt, Marco Palmezzano, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Peter Paul Rubens, Paolo Veronese, Tintoretto and Paolo Uccello. Aboriginal art, photography, fashion and textiles are the more modern art collections available at the National Gallery of Victoria. The overall collection’s diversity includes masterpieces from ancient Greece, Egyptian artifacts, historical European ceramics and a comprehensive range of Australian artworks over several centuries. The largest amount ever paid for an art work displayed at the gallery was for the Paris Bordone “The Rest on the Flight Into Egypt with Saint Catherine and Angels.” The purchase price for this was $3.8 million, partly funded by the NGV Council of Trustees.
The Ian Potter Center, also known as the NGV International, which is part of the National Gallery of Victoria, displays an impressive collection of over 20,000 Australian works, from both old masters and modern artists. The gallery’s building itself is a work of art, with a Leonard French ceiling consisting
one of the world’s largest suspended stained glass pieces. The Australian collection housed in the Ian Potter Center includes the Joseph Brown Collection, donated by its namesake.
The National Gallery of Victoria became a notorious part of Australian history when the Pablo Picasso painting “The Weeping Woman” was stolen in 1986. The painting was returned a week later, after been used as pawn in a cultural protest against ill-treating artists during the time. The gallery holds exhibitions periodically and known as Blockbusters, these exhibitions have included the Impressionists, Dutch Masters (including a Vermeer), Picasso, Caravaggio and selections from the Guggenheim Museums.
Besides offering a peaceful atmosphere for contemplating art and leisurely strolls, the National Gallery of Victoria also arranges lectures, workshops, tours, children’s activities, films and performances related to art work. Visitors can easily take a day or more to view the exhibits and take in the artistic splendor and if you are an art lover, you should consider staying at one of the hotels in Melbourne.TheLangham Hotel Melbourne is ideal if you want luxurious accommodations. There are plenty of hotels in Melbourne for you to choose from.
By: Naveen Marasinghe
