The exhibition Diableries, organised as part of the project The circus we are, offers an immersion into the fascinating universe of the devil, an emblematic figure in our collective imagination. Sometimes a hideous and terrifying creature, sometimes a seductive and enchanting temptress, the devil has frightened and fascinated us for centuries. This enigmatic creature, which uses cunning and finesse to corrupt and tempt spirits, poses a permanent threat to the salvation of souls. Diableries questions man's relationship to the devil in the Middle Ages and in modern times and, more broadly, questions our own relationship to the devil, through various themes, from theatre to music, play and dance, all activities and practices with a sometimes unsuspected devilish slant. The exhibition also portrays those who were once considered to be followers of the devil: demons and witches, but also acrobats, swindlers and other jugglers. Through a selection of prestigious works from private collections and major museums, Diableries sheds light on the devil's place in the visual arts through paintings, sculptures, engravings and other more unusual objects. The famous Wedding Dance by Pieter II Bruegel is associated with a group of works signed by some of the greatest names of the Northern Renaissance, including Albrecht Dürer, Hans Baldung Grien and Lucas Cranach. The works of Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Bruegel the Elder and their epigones are also featured, opening the doors to stunning worlds populated by a myriad of hybrid demonic creatures that are amusing rather than truly terrifying. New musical creations, combined with original digital devices, enhance the visit for a unique experience.
Scientific curator: Gaylen VANKAN, F.R.S.-FNRS candidate (ULiège - Unité de recherche sur le Moyen Âge et la première modernité) - Dr. Julien DE VOS, curator-coordinator of the TreM.a-Museum of Ancient Arts.
TreM.a – Museum of Ancient Arts, Rue de Fer 24 5000 Namur TreM.a – Museum of Ancient ArtsThe exhibition Diableries, organised as part of the project The circus we are, offers an immersion into the fascinating universe of the devil, an emblematic figure in our collective imagination. Sometimes a hideous and terrifying creature, sometimes a seductive and enchanting temptress, the devil has frightened and fascinated us for centuries. This enigmatic creature, which uses cunning and finesse to corrupt and tempt spirits, poses a permanent threat to the salvation of souls.
Diableries questions man’s relationship to the devil in the Middle Ages and in modern times and, more broadly, questions our own relationship to the devil, through various themes, from theatre to music, play and dance, all activities and practices with a sometimes unsuspected devilish slant.
The exhibition also portrays those who were once considered to be followers of the devil: demons and witches, but also acrobats, swindlers and other jugglers.
Through a selection of prestigious works from private collections and major museums, Diableries sheds light on the devil’s place in the visual arts through paintings, sculptures, engravings and other more unusual objects.
The famous Wedding Dance by Pieter II Bruegel is associated with a group of works signed by some of the greatest names of the Northern Renaissance, including Albrecht Dürer, Hans Baldung Grien and Lucas Cranach. The works of Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Bruegel the Elder and their epigones are also featured, opening the doors to stunning worlds populated by a myriad of hybrid demonic creatures that are amusing rather than truly terrifying.
New musical creations, combined with original digital devices, enhance the visit for a unique experience.
Scientific curator: Gaylen VANKAN, F.R.S.-FNRS candidate (ULiège – Unité de recherche sur le Moyen Âge et la première modernité) – Dr. Julien DE VOS, curator-coordinator of the TreM.a-Museum of Ancient Arts.
