Collection policy

Closed collection on a long lease

The Merghelynck collection is managed by the collection team of the AGB Museums in Ypres. The collection is owned by the Royal Academy of Belgium through a bequest from Arthur Merghelynck.

After his death in 1908, Arthur Merghelynck bequeathed the Hotel-Museum and the collection to the Belgian government, with the stipulation that it remain the property of the Royal Academy of Belgium in Brussels. This bequest was accepted by Royal Decree on 19 April 1910. To this day, the Royal Academy remains the owner of the collection. The Royal Academy of Belgium has granted the collection the status of a closed collection; no new items may be added. The existing museum presentation must also be respected.

In the 1990s, talks started between the Royal Academy and the City of Ypres to work together on this historic building and its collection. Since 1994, the museum and collection have been managed by the City of Ypres. The building and collection are leased for 99 years.

Mission

The Merghelynck Museum is an open museum house that embodies and exudes the elegance of the 18th century. Beauty, sensitivity and grandeur are key concepts in the museum's operations. At the Merghelynck Museum, the 18th century enters into a permanent dialogue with our time: noblesse oblige...

The Merghelynck Museum has a whole series of masterpieces in its collection!

Discover them here