Saint Bartholomew, the martyred apostle, is often depicted holding a knife or his own skin. The Grand Curtius houses an expressive reliquary bust of the saint, dating from the 16th century and attributed to a Limburg artist influenced by Jan van Steffesweert. This work bears witness to the tradition of ‘speaking’ reliquaries and the devotion surrounding his relics in Europe.
The consumption of hot beverages such as tea, coffee and chocolate became very fashionable among the bourgeoisie in the 18th century and was often a special moment in domestic life. This ritual gave rise to the development of so-called “lunch” services: a porcelain set comprising a tray matching the cups, for one or two people, hence the names “égoïste” (selfish) and “tête à tête” (one-on-one).
In the 19th century, certain defence mechanisms – ingenious but extremely dangerous – bore witness to an era when security was more a matter of DIY than technology. Come and discover them in our showcase for the object of the month for February 2026.
Discover the object of the month for December 2025, dedicated to Val Saint-Lambert.
Discover the object of the month for November 2025. Renée Brock (1912–1980), a poet with a dense and powerful style, boldly tackled feminist and intimate themes, while running a literary circle in Tilff. Her artistic sensibility resonated with that of the painter Corneille, who used the same pictorial technique, finding sensitivity in the intensity of detail.
Discover the object of the month for October 2025. Given by the sculptor James Pradier to his friend Gioachino Rossini, this cane is a symbol of elegance and refinement, reflecting the talent of Pradier (1790-1852), famous for his precious and delicate creations in the 19th century.
Instead of sketching, some sculptors prefer a more instinctive approach of modelling directly with clay or wax. Even before the final work, they create bozzetti, which are three dimensional models that give life to their vision. Discover this exceptional work by Jean Del Cour.
Discover the rifle that belonged to Liège resistant Walthère Dewé.
Following the travelling exhibition “On Fire” that both the Liehrmann Gallery and the Opéra Royal de Wallonie hosted, the Liège Heritage Fund acquired two works signed by Belgian artists.
Object of the month. Art Deco ceramics on display in our Decorative Arts Department.