Inspired by Queen Louise-Marie. Jewellery by Charlotte Vanhoubroeck
Exhibition
/
09 Oct 2026
-
11 Apr 2027
Published: 21.08.2026

Jewellery artist and art historian Charlotte Vanhoubroeck creates new jewellery for Louise-Marie of Orléans, the first Queen of the Belgians. Almost nothing of her jewellery survives, only descriptions in an inventory. Not copies, but contemporary creations that bring the inner world of a forgotten woman back to life.
Artist list
Charlotte Vanhoubroeck
The original inventory
The exhibition presents the original inventory, drawn up shortly after Louise-Marie's death. All her personal belongings were carefully numbered, described and valued. Her jewels were recorded too: mainly gold brooches, rings, bracelets and drop earrings set with precious stones.
What a jewel can hold
The Belgian queen Louise-Marie owned around a hundred sentimental jewels. Not ordinary pieces, but jewellery with miniature portraits, locks of hair, inscriptions and symbolic motifs. It was her way of keeping the memory of loved ones close. They show how the queen mourned her late son. They speak of the uncertain love between her and King Leopold I. They even reveal who her closest friend was.
From description to new jewel
Charlotte Vanhoubroeck does not reconstruct these lost jewels. Instead, she gives new form to the feelings they once held. Her contemporary creations enter into dialogue with historical jewels and objects. You come to know Louise-Marie as queen, daughter, mother, lover and friend.
An exhibition about loss and remembrance, and about how a jewel can hold an entire life.
Opening hours: Daily from 10.00 - 18.00. The last entry is at 17.30.
Closed on Wednesdays.
The exhibition presents the original inventory, drawn up shortly after Louise-Marie's death. All her personal belongings were carefully numbered, described and valued. Her jewels were recorded too: mainly gold brooches, rings, bracelets and drop earrings set with precious stones.
What a jewel can hold
The Belgian queen Louise-Marie owned around a hundred sentimental jewels. Not ordinary pieces, but jewellery with miniature portraits, locks of hair, inscriptions and symbolic motifs. It was her way of keeping the memory of loved ones close. They show how the queen mourned her late son. They speak of the uncertain love between her and King Leopold I. They even reveal who her closest friend was.
From description to new jewel
Charlotte Vanhoubroeck does not reconstruct these lost jewels. Instead, she gives new form to the feelings they once held. Her contemporary creations enter into dialogue with historical jewels and objects. You come to know Louise-Marie as queen, daughter, mother, lover and friend.
An exhibition about loss and remembrance, and about how a jewel can hold an entire life.
Opening hours: Daily from 10.00 - 18.00. The last entry is at 17.30.
Closed on Wednesdays.
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