Long-term loans

Each year, the Boekentoren lends numerous objects to museums both in Belgium and abroad. This allows works typically stored in our depot to be enjoyed by the public. In addition to temporary exhibitions, some of our collection is on permanent display in various museums.

Discover some of our long-term loans here.

GUM & Botanical Garden

The Ghent University Museum (GUM) and Botanical Garden is a natural partner of the Boekentoren. The “Forum for Science, Doubt & Art” showcases a remarkable collection spanning various disciplines, from biology to archaeology, psychology to medicine.

Among the displays at the GUM is a collection of wax rolls by Professor Amaat Burssens. These early sound recording devices contain unique field recordings from the 1930s in Africa, including interviews, speeches, stories, games, and music. These recordings, digitised by the Flemish Institute for Archiving (VIAA) are part of the Amaat Burssens-collection at the Boekentoren.

In addition to the wax rolls, a print by Italian architect and artist Giambattista Piranesi is on display. Renowned for his etchings of Roman cityscapes, ancient architecture, and imaginary structures, Piranesi was a leading figure in 18th-century Italian art. To ensure its preservation, this print is rotated every six months.

Wax roll - Amaat Burssens (BIB.S.058681), Tempio antico - Piranesi (BHSL.RES.ACC.018221/16)

STAM

STAM tells the story of Ghent from the Middle Ages to the present day with evocative collection pieces and interactive multimedia.

The Boekentoren is lending several paintings that depict historic Ghent cityscapes and notable figures. Additionally, medieval manuscripts from the former abbey libraries of Sint-Pieters and Sint-Baafs are on display. A particular highlight includes the manuscripts of Raphael de Mercatellis (+1508), a renowned bibliophile and humanist who later became Abbot of St. Bavo’s Abbey. Through the Mmmonk project, all of these can also be explored digitally.

Rhetorical treatises ff. 37v-38r from the Mercatellis collection (BHSL.HS.0010), The winding hole at the Lievekaai with wooden crane (BIB.IZN.000014), Breviarium Sint-Pietersabbey (BHSL.HS.3381 v.2.3), Maps of the fortifications around Ghent (BIB.G.005851/1)

Museum of Industry

The Boekentoren houses more than just books, manuscripts, and works on paper. For instance, one of our printing forms, depicting a printer’s studio, is currently on display at the Museum of Industry, a museum dedicated to industry, labour, and textiles. This printing form provides a fascinating glimpse into the rich printing history showcased by the museum.