The Mandatary – Expertise & Integrity
This unique collection is supported by decades of proven expertise. As the mandatary of this project, Stijn Vanwijnsberghe guarantees the highest level of knowledge, professionalism, and integrity.
A Life in Service of Art
- Master's degree in Art History from the University of Leuven.
- Diploma of antiquarian.
- For 17 years, owner of art gallery Civitas, specialising in Floris Jespers.
- Co-organiser of the exhibition on Floris Jespers in the town hall (now district house) of his birthplace Borgerhout (Antwerp) in 1989.
- Co-organiser of the exhibition on Floris Jespers at the Castle of Gaasbeek in 1990.
- Privileged partner in the organisation of the major retrospective exhibitions in Antwerp (1989) and Ostend (2004).
- Curator of the successful exhibition "Floris Jespers: Kongo-Knocke" in 2015.
- Curator of the Floris Jespers exhibition in Alvito, Portugal in 2024.
- Author of the book on Jespers' Congo period (catalogue for the Knokke-Heist exhibition).
Testimonials
The appreciation for his expertise and working methods is shared by leading figures from the art and business worlds:
“
You are , without contest, specialised in the oeuvre of Floris Jespers. I confirm that you possess the experience of an honest and competent expert-dealer in antiques and paintings."
Paul Tanghe
Honorary Managing Director CERA BANK (now KBC)
“
Stijn took on his role as curator with verve. Not only because of his very extensive knowledge of the artist and his works, but also because of the thorough, clear, and warm way he managed to interact with every collaborator. Working with Stijn Vanwijnsberghe is extremely rewarding and is guaranteed to lead to a high-quality end result.”
Pedro Oosterlynck
Director Cultuurcentrum Knokke-Heist vzw
The Collection - A Unique Opportunity
The combination of a lifelong dream and proven expertise has led to a project of inestimable cultural value. This collection is more than the sum of its parts; it is a unique and coherent story that calls for a future.
- An Indivisible Heritage: The collection is an exceptional and unrepeatable cultural archive of museum proportions. Its true power lies in its indivisible coherence; fragmentation would irrevocably destroy the deeper layers of meaning.
- A Global Responsibility: Allowing such a complete and documented artistic legacy to be dispersed represents an irreversible loss to the international art historical community. This project offers a rare chance to prevent such fragmentation and ensure the stewardship of a significant modernist archive.
- An International Opportunity: Given Jespers' international standing and the universal themes explored in his work, this collection holds significant relevance far beyond Belgium. It presents a unique opportunity for a global institution or patron to acquire a complete, museum-quality archive, ready for new scholarship and groundbreaking exhibitions that connect Belgian modernism with worldwide cultural dialogues..
This project offers an institution or patron the unique opportunity to participate in securing a crucial piece of cultural heritage and making it accessible for the future.