© Docomomo Belgium (2015), Paul Coremans International Symposium
International Symposium Paul Coremans

A Belgian Monuments Man and his Impact on the Preservation of Cultural Heritage Worldwide

“The Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA) organizes an international symposium in honour of its founder and first director Paul Coremans (1908-1965). Fifty years after he passed away, it is a unique opportunity to look back at his extraordinary career. The impact of his innovative ideas and vision on the conservation and restoration of works of art has been of paramount importance on both a national and international level. His views, thoughts and achievements in the field will be the focus of this international event.

This symposium will highlight Paul Coremans’s broad-ranging fields of interest: the conservation of works of art in museums, preventive conservation/climate control, the protection of cultural heritage in times of war, the status and role of the restorer, the importance of photographic documentation and scientific research, and the forgery of works of art. Coremans’s firmly held belief in the value of an interdisciplinary approach to the study of works of art will also be considered.”

He left his mark on four major themes, which will be addressed during the symposium:

  • Theme I. Museum policy on the conservation and restoration of works of art
  • Theme II. Conservation, restoration and the interdisciplinary study of works of art
  • Theme III. The protection of works of art at times of war
  • Theme IV. The protection of world heritage

Keynote speakers:
Stefano De Caro (Director-General of ICCROM)
Jenny Graham (Associate Professor (Reader) in Art History, Plymouth University)
Hendrik Deelstra (Emeritus professor in the department of pharmaceutical sciences, University of Antwerp)
Geert Vanpaemel (Professor for history of science, University of Leuven)

15 June 2015, Monday evening:
Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA):
Jubelpark/Parc du Cinquantenaire, 1, 1000 Brussels

16 & 17 June, Tuesday and Wednesday:
Royal Library of Belgium (Koninklijke Bibliotheek van België/Bibliothèque royale de Belgique):
Boulevard de l’Empereur/Keizerslaan, 4, 1000 Brussels

 

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