Our bloggers

The conservator Kathleen Froyen has been working full-time on The Ghent Altarpiece since 2018. She coordinates the conservation studio at the Museum of Fine Arts and sits on many steering committees and advisory committees, but most of all, she enjoys getting behind the microscope herself to do some real work: the conservation of Van Eyck's magnum opus.

Jan Dumolyn is professor of medieval history at Ghent University. As co-curator of Van Eyck — An optical revolution he re-examined the historical sources relating to the Van Eyck brothers. That was high time, because (too) many myths and half truths about the Ghent Altarpiece are endlessly repeated. 

Maximiliaan Martens is professor of Art History at Ghent University and is a world-renowned expert on Van Eyck. Since 2010, he has been heavily involved in the restoration of the Ghent Altarpiece and the expo Van Eyck. An Optical Revolution. He is still fascinated by the topic that interested him in his student days: how can technology and scientific research help us shed new light on the old masters? 

Hilde Langeraert has worked at the Museum of Industry in Ghent for ten years. As a history student, she fell in love with the museum because the subject fascinates her. How are goods manufactured? Where do people work? The relevance of her research topic is what drives Hilde Langeraert forward. As curator, she coordinates all exhibitions that come to life at the Museum of Industry.  

Maaike Blancke (Bressers Architecten) from Ghent is an art historian, interior architect and restoration expert. She worked on several Ghent landmarks, including the kiosk in Citadelpark and the Town Hall, but her biggest feat so far is the new visitor centre in St Bavo's Cathedral which houses the restored Ghent Altarpiece.

Lieta Goethijn is responsible for the food strategy of the city of Ghent.  As a mum, she also tries to cook healthy and sustainable meals at home.  Her magic words? Local, social, sustainable, respectful. Being a vegetarian and a member of a self-picking farm, Lieta enthusiastically adheres to the principle “practice what you preach”. 

In 2013, Rick Molyneux sprayed his first spray cans empty as a graffiti artist. In 2015, he established Wallin’ vzw and created an organisation providing opportunities to street artists: connecting artists to walls and clients, funding projects, organising graffiti jams and workshops. This how Rick and his companions literally make the world a nicer place.

Tony Wheeler is an Australian born in England. His name might not sound familiar, but the name of his iconic travel guides probably does: Lonely Planet. The series of guides, which he created with his wife Maureen, has since been imitated many times, yet never matched. As the ‘inventor’ of modern travel guides, Tony has visited many places around the world. It was high time he discovered Ghent.