Expo: Hansche. Master in stucco

Look up at Park Abbey. You will see a magnificent ceiling full of reliefs: angels, floral motifs and biblical scenes. This three-dimensional work is by Jan Christiaen Hansche. He was a 17th-century master of lime stucco.

But who was this man? How was he able to create ceilings that belong to the most impressive heritage in Flanders and Western Europe? For the first time, Museum PARCUM is telling his complete story.

When: Until Sunday 31 May 2026 during the opening hours of Museum PARCUM
Where: Museum PARCUM, Park Abbey 7, Kessel-Lo (view on map)
For whom: Adults
Price: Paid entry, you buy a ticket for Museum PARCUM
Language: Dutch, English and French

A unique technique

Stucco carving was not new, but Hansche’s technique was. Many craftsmen applied lime stucco directly onto the ceiling. Hansche did it differently: he carved his reliefs out of the stucco. This technique required precision and perfect timing. Layer by layer, he worked the material. In this way, the figures took shape and depth emerged.

When?

Until Sunday 31 May 2026:

Tuesday 10:00-1700
Wednesday 10:00-1700
Thursday 10:00-1700
Friday 10:00-1700
Saturday 10:00-1700
Sunday 10:00-1700

Attention From Tuesday 2 June 2026, adjusted opening hours apply.
You can only visit Park Abbey as part of the Guided walk-in tour: Heart of the Abbey.

Tickets

Individual visitors

You buy a ticket for Museum PARCUM. With your ticket, you visit the restored historic interiors of the monastery and all the ongoing exhibitions. More info on the exhibitions can be found on our website.
An audio guide (Dutch, French and English) and brochure are included in the ticket price.

Buy your ticket

For groups

Would you like to book a guided tour for a group or association? Book a guided tour

A Flemish Master

Hansche was mainly active in the Southern Netherlands in the 17th century. Besides Park Abbey, his work can be found in castles such as Horst en Modave, and in churches such as Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk (Saint Charles Borromeo Church) in Antwerp and Sint-Niklaaskerk (Saint Nicholas Church) in Perk. His stucco ceilings tell biblical stories and show mythical scenes at the height of the Baroque.