Date: 25.10.2025 - 26.04.2026
Focus Exhibition
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This intimate exhibition turns its attention to the woman between the curtains and gives long overdue recognition to Hélène Duerinckx, known as Nel, the partner of Rik Wouters. More than model and muse, she became his publicist and manager. In the years after his death, she tirelessly promoted his work, maintaining artistic networks to secure his legacy.
Rik Wouters & Nel. Muse and Manager explores the unique bond between Rik and Nel. Through often warm, intimate domestic scenes, visitors get a rare glimpse into their lives together. Rik died at just 33, and Nel would spend the rest of her life leaving her mark, quite literally, on her husband's artistic legacy.
This focus exhibition is a place to slow down and truly look. Rather than noise or abundance, it offers time and space to discover, feel and reflect on what is in front of you. Rik Wouters & Nel. Muse and Manager is an invitation to get closer to the artworks, look, discover and slow down. At the heart of this small exhibition is a single key work: The Red Curtains.
Programme
Catalogue
A beautiful book is the perfect companion to this small but rewarding exhibition. Rik Wouters: A First Encounter paints a vivid portrait of this Mechelen artist. Although the exhibition is over, the book is still available in the museum shop.
Guided Tours
Alongside the standard group tour and scheduled tour for individual visitors, there is also a specially adapted tour at Depot Rato. This is where Rik Wouters’ contemporaries take centre stage. School groups visiting the exhibition explore The Red Curtains through a Slow Art session.
Creative Workshops
During the school holidays, children experiment with Rik Wouters’ colour palette. There are creative opportunities for adults too. The museum organises workshops on slam poetry, graphic novels and bookbinding.
Audio Guide
As visitors have come to expect, Rik Wouters & Nel. Muse and Manager is accompanied by an audio guide. Nel personally guides visitors through her husband’s artworks. For the Dutch-language version, acclaimed actor Els Dottermans lent her voice to Nel.
Study Day
The programme for the study day includes lectures by curator Niels Schalley, Apolline Malevez, Herwig Todts and Kurt De Boodt. Participants also visit Depot Rato in Muizen, where a guided tour focuses on Rik Wouters’ contemporaries.
Creative Stops
The creative stops on this focus exhibition encourage visitors to look at the artworks in new ways and inspire them to create something themselves. Visitors can create a portrait or write something about their personal muse and share it with the others.
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