The Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) in Ghent, the oldest museum in Belgium, made a significant decision in 2021 by embracing thematic curation for its collection display. Dating back to 1798,
before the existence of Belgium as a country, the MSK houses a diverse range of art from the Middle Ages to the present day, with a focus on Belgian art from the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection comprises nearly 20,000 works of art, with 600 displayed for the public.
Following a 40-room renovation, MSK reopened with a "transhistorical" presentation, grouping artworks thematically under themes such as poverty, wealth, the relationship between city and countryside, the portrayal of women in art, and the immortalization through portraits. This approach allows for a more intense dialogue between the works of art and visitors, transcending time periods and art styles to reflect the core values of humanity.
According to MSK curator Lieven Van Den Abeele, the selection of themes preceded the search for suitable works to display. The museum also aims to highlight the role of women in art by showcasing works of lesser-known female artists who have seldom been exhibited before, emphasizing their contributions as painters or sculptors, rather than mere models or muses.
While the concept of thematic display is not new, with notable museums like the Pompidou in Paris and the MoMA in New York adopting this approach, MSK and the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) are among the few Flemish museums to implement this arrangement. Critics argue that it risks simplifying art or confusing non-specialist audiences, but proponents, like Frances Morris from the Tate Modern, believe that thematic displays open up history and provide valuable insights into moments in time.
By organizing their collections thematically rather than chronologically, museums like MSK and KMSKA aim to engage a diverse audience of art enthusiasts and novices alike, fostering meaningful conversations about the artworks and the stories they convey. Photo by Paul Hermans, Wikimedia commons.