11.06.2025-12.19.2025
DEPICTING GRACE
In Flemish painting of the 16th and 17th centuries
The term grace has been widely used by specialists in painting since the 16th century. And yet, it refers to an indescribable quality: a delicate balance that provides the viewer with a gentle sense of contentment, without tension or disruption. For our autumn exhibition, we have chosen to explore the artistic techniques employed by Flemish masters of the 16th and 17th centuries to achieve this quality. Is there a model for grace?
The selection offers two avenues for reflection. Grace is first and foremost a quality conveyed by colour. It is achieved through a precise balance of nuances, with no marked contours or strong contrasts. It is the result of a sensitivity to nature, as seen in the subtle details of Still Lifes.
At the same time, grace is associated with qualities considered feminine. Since the aim is not to convince but to delight, it is a beauty – composed of a restrained, modest yet pleasing presence – that contrasts with the strength and sometimes violent actions of men. It is therefore more a question of state of mind, a notion with religious connotations. Grace can be the light that comes from within, a materialisation of harmony with the outside world.
Image
Maître de 1518, La Sainte Famille avec sainte Catherine et sainte Ursule, panneau, 55 x 37 cm (détail)