Research projects
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium conduct national and international projects focusing on the knowledge and preservation of and access to the artistic and cultural heritage.
Research in art history, whether studies for the conservation and restoration of works, the development of new technologies for analysing them, or knowledge of a given artistic movement, is a multifaceted exercise. Below you will find formation about recent projects carried out in these areas by the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, and others still in progress.
List of projects
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The ‘Gender’ research project is designed to address one of the main concerns of our society, in which museum spaces play an integral role: reflection on gender issues and representations (social sexe…FED-tWIN "GENDER"
Through the lens of gender: stories and history within the museum archival and art collections
2022 > 2032
Promotor(s) : Inga Rossi-Schrimpf (MRBAB), Alexander Streitberger (Uclouvain, CERTA)
Researcher(s) : Audrey Lasserre (MRBAB / Uclouvain, CERTA)
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The ARTIMuSI project, a FED-tWIN research initiative supported by BELSPO, focuses on improving sustainability impact measurement and reporting in non-profit organizations and public service organizati…ARTIMuSI
Action Research Towards Increased Museum Sustainability Impact
2024 > 2028
Promotor(s) : Dr. Inga Rossi-Schrimpf (KMSKB), Prof. Dr. Caroline Buts (VUB)
Researcher(s) : Prof. Dr. Laurens Vandercruysse (KMSKB/VUB)
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Coordinators : Aude Alexandre and Ingrid Goddeeris (RMFAB) Researchers : Fenya Almstadt (RMFAB/ ULB/TU Berlin), Elea De Winter (ULB), Alexandre Leroux (RMFAB) – see contacts below Scientific Commi…ProvEnhance
Enhancing the provenance data of the collections of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (RMFAB) since 1933. Scientific study, digital valorization and narrative in context
2023 > 2027
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2022 > 2027 Promotors: Dr. Davy Depelchin (RMFAB), Prof. Dr. Marc Jacobs (UAntwerp) Researcher: Prof. Dr. Ulrike Müller (RMFAB/UAntwerp)ABBEY RD. REVISITED
A critical study and remedy for the Meunier Museum as a satellite of the RMFAB
2022 > 2027
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MetaBelgica
A shared entity management infrastructure between Federal Scientific Institutes in Belgium
2023 > 2026
Promotor(s) : Hannes Lowagie (KBR), Ann Van Camp (KBR), Sven LIeber (KBR), Julie Brikholz (KBR); Karine Lasaracina (KMSKB), Eric Buelinckx (KIK), Els Angenon (KMKG)
Researcher(s) : Prof. Dr. Dieter De Witte (subcontractor Ghent Universty - IDLab), Marc Van Oene (KMSKB), Lies Van de Cappelle (KMSKB)
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The FRIABLE project investigates the vulnerability of modern works on paper with powdery materials such as pastel, charcoal and chalk. Its aim is to develop a protocol for the conservation and managem…FRIABLE
Preservation and Valorisation of Friable Media on Paper.
2022 > 2026
Promotor(s) : Dr. Inga Rossi-Schrimpf (RMFAB), Marjolijn Depulpaep (KIK-IRPA), Prof. Estelle Van Geyts (ENSAV, La Cambre), Prof. Dr. Lieve Watteeuw (KU Leuven), Leila Sauvage (Rijksmuseum)
Researcher(s) : Lise Vandewal (RMFAB), Juliette François (KIK-IRPA), Marie-Noëlle Grison (RMFAB/KU Leuven), Ana Oñate Muñoz (ENSAV La Cambre)
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The aim of the “SIAMESE” FED-tWIN project is to provide new, innovative image-processing techniques applied to cultural heritage preservation.SIAMESE
Seamless Archiving for Museums and Enhanced Sharing Experiences
2021 > 2026
Promotor(s) : prof. Benoît Macq (ICTEAM, UCLouvain), Karine Lasaracina (RMFAB)
Researcher(s) : Sébastien Lugan (PhD, postdoctoral researcher, UCL/RMFAB)
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The aim of this FED-tWIN project is to investigate whether automatic image recognition, with a focus on spatial relations between objects, can be used within the collection registration, in making col…HENSOR
Heritage Enrichment using Spatial Object Relations - Automatic wikibase generation for semantic querying and linking of RMFAB collections
2021 > 2026
Promotor(s) : Prof. Dr. Ir. Steven Verstockt (IDLab/UGent), Lies Van de Cappelle (RMFAB)
Researcher(s) : Prof. Dr. Ir. Dieter De Witte (RMFAB - IDLab/UGent)
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Energy reduction in Cultural Heritage Institutions is a hot topic. However, due to the diversity of the types of buildings, collections, and outdoor climates, taking sustainable decisions is easier sa…Climate2Preserv
2021 > 2025
Promotor(s) : Belspo
Researcher(s) : Sustainability Unit
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The BePAPER-project will provide a first overview of the field of Belgian avant-garde works on paper within an international context between 1918 and 1950, that is, up and until the dawn of CoBrA and …BePAPER
Belgian Art on Paper in a European Perspective. 1918-1950
2020 > 2024
Promotor(s) : Dr. Inga Rossi-Schrimpf (RMFAB) ; Co-Promotor(s): Karine Lasaracina (RMFAB) ; Prof. Dr. Sascha Bru (KUL) ; Prof. Dr. Michel Draguet (ULB/RMFAB) ; Prof. Dr. Frederik Truyen (KUL)
Researcher(s) : Lies Van de Cappelle (RMFAB), Laura Kollwelter (RMFAB), Sarah Eycken (RMFAB /KUL), Ana Schultze (RMFAB)
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The project Face to Face, aims to throw a new light on the representation of the human faces in Western painting, through the prism of technical art historyFace to Face
Human Faces through the Prism of Technical Art History
2019 > 2024
Promotor(s) : Prof. Dr. David Strivay (Centre Européen d’Archéométrie, ULiège) & Prof. Dr. Francisca Vandepitte (Modern Art Department, RMFAB/VUB)
Researcher(s) : Dr. Catherine Defeyt (ULiège/RMFAB)
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The plan for the digitisation of the cultural and scientific heritage of the Federal Scientific Institutions is part of the current digitisation programme DIGIT, which is currently in its fourth phase…DIGIT
Digitisation Programme of the Belgian Science Policy (BELSPO)
2005 > 2024
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In January of 2018, the Getty Foundation launched The Paper Project: Prints and Drawings Curatorship in the 21st Century, an initiative to strengthen curatorial practice in the graphic arts field inte…RMFAB-Getty Paper Project Curatorial Fellowship
2020 > 2022
Promotor(s) : Dr. Inga Rossi-Schrimpf
Researcher(s) : Willemijn Stammis (Curatorial Fellow)
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The BISHOPS project focuses on developing an interfederal support infrastructure for open research data in human and social sciences.BISHOPS
Belgian Infrastructure for Social Sciences and Humanities Open Science
2019 > 2022
Promotor(s) : Rolande Depoortere (NAB) ; Johan Van der Eycken (NAB)
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The objective of this project is to advance the application of automated algorithms from the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support cultural heritage institutions in their effort to keep up …INSIGHT
Intelligent Neural Systems as InteGrated Heritage Tools
2017 > 2021
Promotor(s) : Karine Lasaracina (RMFAB) ; Els Angenon (RMAH) ; Pierre Geurts (University of Liège) ; Christophe Verbruggen (University of Ghent) ; Sally Chambers (University of Ghent)
Researcher(s) : Matthia Sabatelli (University of Liège) ; Nicolae Banari (University of Antwerp)
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Although several hundreds of thousands of heritage objects held by the Belgian Federal Scientific Institutions are related to each other to various degrees, they are still largely considered and treat…LOUD
Linked Open Usable Data
2019 > 2020
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In the context of the commemorations of World War I, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium have launched the project Before and after ? Continuity or rupture ? Belgian Art around World War I.Before and after ? Continuity or rupture ?
Belgian art around World War I
2016 > 2018
Promotor(s) : Inga Rossi-Schrimpf
Researcher(s) : Laura Kollwelter
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The objective is to conceive digital exhibitions that integrate collections from various museums, festivals and art centres, so as to broadcast them in public spaces, in compliance with artistic right…SHAREX
Shared Art Exhibitions
2016 > 2018
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City and Society in the Netherlands, 1200-1800. The state of the city: between resilience and vulnerability
PAI 7/26 2012-2017
2012 > 2017
Promotor(s) : Dr Sabine van Sprang
Researcher(s) : Dr Tine Meganck, Dr Irene Schaudies, Stefaan Hautekeete, Hilde Cuvelier
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The Dissemination of the Orientalist Praxis in the Belgian Artistic Circles
(1830-1914)
2012 > 2016
Promotor(s) : Pr Dr Michel Draguet
Researcher(s) : Davy Depelchin
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The RMFAB, which after Vienna contain the largest collection of works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, have launched a research project to reassess the Bruegel paintings preserved in Brussels, along with …Pieter Bruegel the Elder
The sources of his art
2012 > 2015
Promotor(s) : Dr. Véronique Bücken
Researcher(s) : Dr. Alexandre Galand
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Multispectral Analysis of Digital Images for Art Historical Research and Preventative Conservation of Paintings
Research Project Concerning Non-Invasive Diagnostic Methods for the Preventative Conservation of Paintings.
2009 > 2014
Promotor(s) : Dr. Frederik Leen
Researcher(s) : Bruno Cornelis (Vrije Universiteit Brussel - ETRO), Prof. Dr. Ann Dooms (Vrije Universiteit Brussel - ETRO)
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The heritage of Rogier van der Weyden
Painting in Brussels in the late 15th and early 16th century
2010 > 2013
Promotor(s) : Dr Véronique Bücken
Researcher(s) : Dr. Griet Steyaert
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Scientific examination of the 'Rubens Group' at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, with a catalogue raisonné and Rubens exhibition.Rubensdatabase
2008 > 2013
Promotor(s) : Dr. Joost Vander Auwera
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Orientalism
2009 > 2012
Promotor(s) : Prof Dr Michel Draguet
Researcher(s) : Davy Depelchin
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The Reception of Pop Art in Belgium between 1962 and 1970
2010 > 2011
Promotor(s) : Dr. Frederik Leen
Researcher(s) : Carl Jacobs
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City and Society in the Netherlands, 1200-1800
PAI 6/32 2007-2011
2007 > 2011
Promotor(s) : Prof. Dr. Michel Draguet
Researcher(s) : Dr. Sabine van Sprang, Dr. Tine Meganck, Dr. Irene Schaudies, Stefaan Hautekeete
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Scientific study of the paintings of the “Bernard van Orley” group conserved in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, with a view to establishing a scientific catalogue
2006 > 2011
Promotor(s) : Dr Véronique Bücken
Researcher(s) : Dr Alexandre Galand
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Les XX & La Libre Esthétique (1884 – 1914)
Critical edition and computerization of the Octave Maus Fund
2004 > 2008
Promotor(s) : Dr. Francisca Vandepitte
Researcher(s) : Rafaël Knops
