Since 1972, the National Bank has been supporting the arts through the acquisition of works by promising artists living and working in Belgium. The Bank’s collection - which now includes more than 2 050 works and is growing by the year - aims to provide a representative picture of artistic creation in the country.
Art plays an important role in developing critical thinking and enhances our ability to understand a world in constant flux. For this reason, the collection’s primary public is the Bank’s employees: the works of art displayed throughout the Bank encourage dialogue, reflection and innovation on a daily basis.
However, the Bank considers it important to show its collection in external contexts as well. Thus, the general public can discover our collection through loans to leading institutions and museums. The Bank has also organised several exhibitions at its premises. From 2030, visitors will be able to discover the collection in a new permanent exhibition space. For more information on ongoing projects and loans, head to our Instagram page: @nbbartcollection
https://www.nbb.be/en/about-national-bank/art-collection
Launch year:
1972
Number of artworks:
2050
Status of collection:
National
Artistic domains and general information about the collection:
Comprised of more than 2 050 works, the Bank’s art collection covers a diverse range of artistic movements from the mid-20th century onwards. Due to the specific context in which it is exhibited, the collection consists largely of two-dimensional artworks (paintings, drawings, prints and photography) and sculptures. Nevertheless, efforts are being made to integrate new media as well.
Commission programme / Site-specific order(s) :
The National Bank occasionally commissions site-specific artworks. These works fully reflect the collection’s objectives, which have remained virtually unchanged since its inception in 1972: to provide a stimulating working environment for the Bank’s personnel while supporting the arts and artistic creation.
2021 - Jean Glibert, Intervention sur mur, enamel and varnish, 1040 cm x 600 cm
2016 - 2020, Bob Verschueren, Réseaux, 30 metre-long bronze sculpture
2015 - Vaast Colson, Refund Painting, mixed media, aluminium adhesive tape and coins, 210 cm x 210 cm
2014 - Edith Dekyndt, Untitled, gilded paper bands installed in two purpose-made niches, 2 cm x (207 cm x 193 cm)
2010 - Pieter Vermeersch, Untitled, cotton-linen tapestry mounted on a wooden frame, 538 cm x 304 cm
You can admire Pieter Vermeersch’s tapestry at the Bank’s Museum which is open Monday to Friday. In a beautiful building designed by architect Désiré De Keyzer (1823-1897), the artist enters into a direct dialogue with the private bank that once occupied the premises.
2006 - Fred Eerdekens, Something of Value, polystyrene, polymer adhesive and fireproof coating, 100 cm x 40 cm x 70 cm
1985 - Jan Dries, Lichtvariaties, four bronze reliefs, 4 cm x (120 cm x 120 cm x 2 cm)
circa 1960 - Maurits van Saene, monumental curved fresco secco, 317 cm x 570 cm
About the company
Launch year:
1850
Number of employees:
1854
Profile of the company:
Central bank, member of the Eurosystem.