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Sunday, 26 April 2026
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Belgium

Belgium's Geel acquires 17th-century painting of Saint Dimpna for local museum

Wednesday, 15 April 2026, 12:16 · 1 min read

The Belgian city of Geel (a town in Antwerp province long associated with pioneering community-based mental health care) has purchased a 17th-century painting depicting Saint Dimpna, its patron saint, and priest Gerebernus, marking the first time the city has directly acquired a Dimpna-related artwork for its Gasthuismuseum. The 1.65-metre-tall canvas, which retains its original frame inscribed with a prayer to the saint and portrays the final scene of her legend — her beheading by her father — had been held in private hands by a Geel family, but was traced through a volunteer tip and sold with the express wish that it remain in the city. The painting will go on public display from 1 May as part of the temporary exhibition 'Kroonstukken', running until 27 September.

Sources
VRT NWSGeel koopt 17e-eeuws schilderij van Sint-Dimpna voor Gasthuismuseum: "Niet in een privécollectie laten verdwijnen" ↗︎
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