Historic Art Reunion: Rare 16th-Century Bruges Painting Travels to Tokyo
An extraordinary artistic reunion is taking place across oceans. A precious 16th-century painting, Scenes from the Life of Saint James and Saint John, has left its usual home at the Groeningemuseum to be showcased in Japan. This historic journey marks the first time in more than a century that the masterpiece is being displayed alongside its sister piece.
A Century-Old Separation Reconciled
In 1909, both of these detailed panels were held by a London art dealer. The works, identical in size and likely created by the same unidentified master, were separated when one was acquired for the municipal collections in Bruges. The other was purchased by the prominent Japanese collector Kojiro Matsukata, eventually finding its home at the National Museum of Western Art (NMWA) in Tokyo. After nearly 116 years apart, the two paintings have finally been reunited in the Japanese capital.
The Logistics of a Delicate Journey
Moving a 16th-century painting on a wooden panel across the globe presents massive conservation challenges. Because wood is highly sensitive to shifts in temperature and humidity, experts from both museums worked alongside specialized transport teams to build a custom-molded crate. The artwork traveled by road to Luxembourg before boarding a cargo flight to Tokyo, accompanied throughout by Bruges' early Netherlandish art curator, Anna Koopstra.
This major display is the culmination of scientific collaboration starting back in 2017. Before the painting departed, painting conservator Sofia Hennen undertook careful cleaning and restoration work, while researchers utilized infrared reflectography to study the hidden layers of both masterpieces.
Planning Your Visit to See the Exhibition in Bruges
For those currently in Japan, the joint presentation is on display at the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo until May 10, 2026. However, culture lovers planning a trip to Belgium will soon have their own chance to witness this historic pairing.
Following the Tokyo exhibition, both paintings will travel back to Europe. They will be displayed together at the Groeningemuseum in Bruges from June 16 to October 26, 2026. This offers a rare summer and autumn window to appreciate these historic panels side-by-side in their original Flemish context.
If you are planning an upcoming trip to the historic city center, let Musemap (musemap.art) help you coordinate your itinerary. You can easily explore local museums or browse upcoming cultural exhibitions to make the most of your visit.
