The House of Burgundy has not ruled the Low Countries since 1482, but even centuries later the word ‘Burgundian’ is still synonymous with decadence. That association was well earned, for banquets in Burgundian high society were as lavish as they come – tables piled high with roast swan, gargantuan faux pies (with musicians hiding in them and playing to the diners), and fountains of red wine, hosted by rulers with sobriquets like Charles the Good and Philip the Handsome. There is certainly some of that in this exhibition at the Museum Hof Van Busleyden, which includes paintings of rich people eating rich food and ornate tableware (31 October–11 April 2027). But the exhibition explores the earthier side of Burgundian life, too, with depictions of bustling fish markets and tavern scenes, and works that show what life was like for those who struggled to put food on the table.
Find out more from the Museum Hof Van Busleyden’s website
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