Jan & John Maggs

Antiques and Art

Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools

at Musée des Beaux-Arts in Montreal

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While planning our first visit to Canada since we were turned away at the Quebec border during Covid, we came across a notice for a most interesting exhibition at Montreal's Musee des Beaux Arts. Saints, Sinners, Lovers, and Fools: 300 Years of Flemish Masterworks was a touring presentation of works owned by The Phoebus Foundation, whose home is Antwerp, Belgium.

The Phoebus Foundation is a privately held institution, founded to protect and expand the private collection of Fernand and Karine Huts, who control the family's vast international shipping enterprise, Katoen Natie. The foundation's goal is to receive significant works of art, conserve and restore them, and make them available to as wide an audience as possible. The Foundation is set up in the manner of the J. Paul Getty Foundation in Los Angeles and the Frick in New York. Once part of the foundation's holdings, no object may be sold for the benefit of the company or the family. Another goal of the Foundation is to keep Flemish pieces of high quality in Flanders and to return others which have migrated to other countries to their native land. 

'Phoebus' refers to Phoebus Apollo. In ancient mythology, Apollo functioned as the protector and leader of the muses. Together they entertain themselves on Mount Parnassus. Apollo brings inspiration or even divine enlightenment and is the protector of the mythical golden age – a heavenly era in which violence, greed, jealousy and injustice do not yet exist. [Wikipedia]

The showing in Montreal was its third in North America. Previous presentations in Dallas and Denver were received with great enthusiasm. We purchased tickets online and packed our bags.

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A Pantry with Game Frans Snyders (1579 - 1657)

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As we climbed the steps to the vast exhibition space, our gaze was immediately drawn to the large sign on the facing wall. At its center, beneath the presentation's bilingual title, was Frans Snyders' still life "A Pantry

with Game", its brilliant colors and handsome frame offering a promise of wonders to come. As we were about to find out, this was no idle promise.

 

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Each of the several themed galleries we entered was painted a vivid solid color, and works of art were displayed sparingly, with ample space between them.

The presentation reminded us of the Vermeer show in Amsterdam.

 

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Another gallery

 

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Nativity Hans Memling and Workshop (c.1480)

The conservation practices of the Phoebus Foundation guarantee that each painting will be as vivid and attractive as it was more than 500 years ago.

This nativity by Hans Memling is held by the Foundation.

 

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Virgin and Child Jan Gossaert (ca. 1478 - 1532)

 

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Saint Peter and Christ at the Shore of the Sea of Galilee* Lucas Gassel (c. 1500 - c. 1570)

*From the collection of The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

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Portrait of a Lady Unknown artist (dated 1613)

 

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One of the most curious and oddly appealing works: The Mocking of Human Follies Frans Verbeeck (1531 - 1570)

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Details from the above

 

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Portrait of a Man* Hans Memling (ca. 1480)

*From the collection of The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts 

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A Monkey Encampment David Teniers II (1610 - 1690)

 
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Virgin and Child in a Mandorla* Albert Cornelis (Active in Bruges 1513 - 1531)

*From the collection of The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

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The Lamentation Gerard David  (ca. 1500)

 

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Portrait of Joost Aemsz van der Burch Jan van Scorel (1495 - 1562)

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 Double portrait of a Husband and Wife Playing Doubles Jan Sanders an Hemessen (1532)

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When its run in Montreal ends, the exhibition will move to the Peabody-Essex. It is scheduled to open on December 14 and remain on view until May 4.

Mark your calendar!

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