A Century-Old Reunion: Bruges Masterpiece Travels to Tokyo Before Groeningemuseum Return
A remarkable 16th-century painting from Bruges has embarked on a historic international journey. The piece, depicting scenes from the lives of Saint James and Saint John, has traveled from the Groeningemuseum in Bruges to Tokyo, Japan. It is currently featured in a special exhibition at the National Museum of Western Art (NMWA), marking the first time in over a century that it has been reunited with its sister panel.
A Century of Separation and the Journey to Japan
In 1909, two closely related paintings shared a home with a London art dealer. Their paths soon diverged: one was acquired by the Municipal Museums in Bruges, while the other was purchased by the renowned Japanese art collector Kojiro Matsukata. The two works, which share identical dimensions and were likely created by the same anonymous master, have remained separated for nearly 116 years.
Transporting a delicate 16th-century artwork on a wooden panel across the globe required meticulous preparation. Because the panel is highly sensitive to environmental fluctuations, experts from Musea Brugge and the NMWA designed a custom climate-controlled travel crate. The painting was transported by truck to Luxembourg before boarding a cargo flight to Tokyo. Anna Koopstra, curator of early Netherlandish painting at Musea Brugge, accompanied the masterpiece to ensure its safety during transit and check its condition upon arrival.
Restoring and Researching the Historic Panel
This historic presentation is the result of years of collaborative research. Since 2017, experts from both museums have analyzed the sister paintings using advanced scientific methods, including infrared reflectography.
Prior to its journey, the Bruges painting underwent extensive cleaning and restoration by painting conservator Sofia Hennen, bringing its vibrant details back to life. Art lovers can examine the intricate details of Scenes from the Life of Saint James and Saint John through the online collection portal to appreciate the craftsmanship before seeing it in person.
Planning Your Art Itinerary: How to See the Reunited Masterpieces in Bruges
For cultural travelers planning a trip, this reunion offers a unique opportunity to view both historic panels side-by-side in two different global cities:
- Tokyo, Japan: The joint display is open at the National Museum of Western Art until May 10, 2026.
- Bruges, Belgium: Following the Tokyo showcase, both paintings will travel together to the Groeningemuseum, where they will be exhibited from June 16, 2026, through October 26, 2026.
Whether you are climbing the historic stairs of the Belfry or exploring the quiet galleries of the city's art institutions, Musemap (musemap.art) helps you navigate the rich heritage of this medieval destination. You can easily plan your next artistic journey by browsing our comprehensive Bruges museum directory or finding nearby historical landmarks on the Bruges cultural map.
