Instrument maker Bas Neelen is building a playable harpsichord for Museum Vleeshuis based on the example of a Flemish Masterpiece from the museum's collection: a 1615 harpsichord by Antwerp-based maker Andreas Ruckers. It is the very first time this more than 400 year-old instrument will be reproduced.
We support craftsmanship by securing, documenting, protecting and encouraging instrument making. Together with makers and musicians, we create instruments and music. That way, our precious musical heritage stays alive.
Who were the members of the Duarte family? What was their profession? Who did they know? What role did their Jewish roots play? And what did music mean to them? Find out here.
In 2021, Yannick Wijnants of Atelier Herkenrode completed the restoration of the so-called 'Peter Benoit piano', a concert grand piano made by the firm Pleyel, Wolff & Cie in 1884. Thanks to the restoration, this masterpiece was once again playable.
Since 1967, Museum Vleeshuis has kept a superb grand piano by Pleyel, Wolff & Cie. Following a comprehensive restoration in 2020-2021, the instrument was once again playable. Belgian pianist-composer Jeroen Malaise is an ambassador for the 'Pleyel'.
Since 1967, Museum Vleeshuis has preserved and displayed one of the finest Viennese pianofortes in the world, a grand piano by Austrian-German piano-maker Conrad Graf.
Musician and instrument maker Justin Glaie produced a unique lute in 2021, at Museum Vleeshuis' request. This is an instrument of which examples have only survived in Flemish paintings from the first half of the 17th century.
Since 2023, there has been a special lute in our collection, examples of which have only survived in Flemish paintings from the first half of the 17th century. Musician and instrument maker Justin Glaie produced the lute in 2021, at our request.
