The extraordinary story of the stained-glass windows
At Museum PARCUM, you come face to face with 17th-century masterpieces. The colourful stained-glass windows in the cloister corridor form a unique and exceptional collection. They represent one of the most extensive collections of 17th-century stained glass in the Low Countries still preserved in its original location: Park Abbey, the very place for which these panels were created.
A historical graphic novel recognised as a Flemish Masterpiece
In 1635, Abbot Jan Maes commissioned an impressive project: a series of no fewer than 41 stained-glass windows for the cloister corridors of Park Abbey. Leuven master glazier Jan de Caumont was entrusted with creating this masterpiece. His stained-glass windows became a visual highlight of the abbey and a milestone in his career.
Inspired by prints from the Vita Sancti Norberti (1632), the glazier brought the story of the founder of the Norbertine Order to life in a series that reads like a graphic novel in glass. The scenes were created with extraordinary craftsmanship and an exceptional eye for detail. He spent nine years working on this commission, producing a truly remarkable result.
The completeness and scale of the series, as well as the virtuosity and attention to detail with which Jan de Caumont executed his designs, are exceptional. In recognition of their historical value and outstanding craftsmanship, these stained-glass windows were awarded the status of Flemish Masterpiece in 2018. They are among Flanders' most valuable cultural heritage treasures.
Lost treasures return home
Did you know that the stained-glass windows once travelled around the world? Following the dissolution of the abbey in 1796, the precious windows became scattered across the globe. They were cut into smaller pieces, copied, reassembled and more. Over the centuries, the panels ended up in various locations, from England to the United States. Abbey staff and volunteers are still searching for missing pieces in an effort to make the collection as complete as possible.
Some of the windows had already returned in the late 20th century. In 2013, the search gained momentum when the Flemish Community managed to recover eight stained-glass windows from the collections of Yale University (USA). Three years later, the City of Leuven acquired six additional panels from Washington. In recent years, the search had reached an impasse, but a new discovery recently emerged: two side panels were offered for sale by a London art dealer.
Today, approximately 40% of the original series has returned to Park Abbey. The mission to recover all the stained-glass windows is not yet complete, and volunteers continue their efforts to bring the remaining 'lost treasures' back home.
Colourful compositions
What you see today in the cloister corridor at Park Abbey are the central panels of the windows. Originally, these were flanked by side panels featuring saints, elaborate decorative details and Latin inscriptions. The complete series is a masterpiece of composition and craftsmanship.
In the coming years, the stained-glass windows will undergo further restoration and be returned to their original positions. From 2027 onwards, you will once again be able to admire the complete series, exactly as Abbot Maes originally intended.
You will then be able to discover the entire ensembles: the central panels and side panels, with a Latin inscription at the bottom explaining the scene depicted, and the coats of arms of the abbots of Park at the top.