Pastrana Collegiate Church Exhibits Restored Tapestries at Cinquantenaire Museum

BRUSSELS.- The Cinquantenaire Museum in Brussels as of yesterday began an exhibition of four restored Flemish tapestries from the Colegiatea de Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion de Pastrana as part of the cultural program planned by the Spanish Presidency of the EU which will continue through to early this spring and end on March 14.

In 2009 the de Wit Royal manufacturers of Michelin in collaboraton with the Fundacion Carlos de Amberes restored the 11m x 4m Flemish pieces that had become damaged over time and by moths using the most advanced technologies. The tapestries, which previously were on display in the Collegiat’s Chapter House, are considered the most beautiful of the late 15th century. The Fundacion Caja Madrid and InBev-Baillet Latour Fund also participated in the restoration as sponsors.

At a future date, the tapestries will be returned to Spain, where they will be exhibited, in the first instance, in the Palacio de Santa Cruz in Toledo and, then, at the Madrid headquarters of the Fundación Carlos de Amberes (there may also be a date in Lisbon). These exhibits are sponsored by the Guadalajara Provincial Council and the Castilla-La Mancha Regional Government through Sociedad Don Quijote de Conmemoraciones Culturales de Castilla-La Mancha.

Fundación Carlos de Amberes and opening
The Fundacion Carlos de Amberes in Madrid, whose origins date back to 1594, since when it began promoting cultural exchanges between Spain and the former Seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands (also known as Flanders); made this wonderful restoration process possible.

At the official opening of the exhibition authorities Anne Cahen-Delhaye, Director of the Royal Museums of Art and History of Belgium, Baron Jan Huyghebaert, Chairman of the Inbev-Baillet Latour Foundation; and Carlos Gómez Múgica, Spanish Ambassador to Belgium were present and given a personally guided tour by the museum curator, Ingred Demeuter, and Yvan Maes owner of the De Witt Factory in Malinas.

Maria Antonia Perez Leon, the president of the Guadalajara Council, referred to the exhibition as an “excellent opportunity to see the four Flemish tapestries in all their splendor”. In addition the Regional Minister for Culture, Tourism and Crafts of Castilla-La Mancha, Soledad Herrera, expressed her pride at how the four works of art “are woven with threads of friendship, culture and beauty”.
This restoration project is expected to be presented for the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award.