The Flemish Government celebrated the 20th anniversary of the 'Masterpiece Decree' in 2023. This decree gives works of art or other valuable objects from Flemish collections that are considered rare and indispensable, the label 'Masterpiece'. On the occasion of this anniversary, MAS hosted the Flemish government and the Masterpiece Council with the exhibition 'Rare and indispensable'. The expo placed almost one hundred works from the Flemish Masterpiece list in the spotlight.
But maybe when you think of a 'masterpiece', you think of something else than the (art)historical heavyweights ... Maybe 'masterpiece' to you means something that has a practical use above all, rather than artistic or historical value. Or maybe your masterpiece is not rare at all, but just something you find in countless living rooms.
For 'Eyecatchers', 16 Antwerp residents went in search of their masterpieces in the MAS collection. Unique, important, unseen or pioneering? Or useful, fascinating, recognizable or endearing? In the expo you could find out which collection pieces they chose and why. Their choices were there alongside a Masterpiece from the MAS collection.