Walk in the footsteps of Dieric Bouts, visit his studio and experience Leuven through the painter’s eyes.
Leuven is known as a dynamic, innovative and ambitious city. It was already so in 1450. A new town hall was built, the entire city centre was given a thorough facelift and at its still young university, Renaissance ideas gradually seeped through, No wonder an innovative painter like Dieric Bouts was attracted to Leuven.
Dieric Bouts’ Leuven
Leuven is famous for being a dynamic, innovative, and entrepreneurial city. True today and true back in 1450. Renaissance thinking gradually pervaded its fledgling university, a new city hall was built, and the entire city centre was swept up in a top-to-bottom upgrade and revival. So, the lure of Leuven for an innovative painter like Dieric Bouts was no wonder.
Bouts lived and worked in Leuven from 1450 until he died in 1475. He completely immersed himself in Leuven life: his wives were the daughters of Leuven’s wealthy elite, he had friends among the university’s brightest and finest, he joined the Leuven Ommegang, and created works for the city council and other influential local figures.
Discover it yourself
Dieric Bouts lived and worked in a bustling, vibrant city. What was it like to be a painter in 15th-century Leuven? Who were his patrons? Where did he buy his materials? What was his studio life like? Follow in Dieric Bouts’ footsteps; visit his studio and experience Leuven through the eyes of the painter.
Practical information
From 30 September to 24 January, you can join a walk in Dutch at 11am every Saturday and Sunday (except 23/12 and 24/12).
On October 21, November 4 and December 2, there is also a walk in English.
The walk starts and ends at the steps of City Hall on the Grote Markt.
This event is open to all, except access Eygen Heerd. If you have any special needs or questions, contact us at leuvenplus@gmail.com.
Tickets cost €10 per person, including the visit to “Eygen Heerd”.
You can buy your tickets
- at the VisitLeuven office, Naamsestraat 3 – 3000 Leuven, T +32 16 20 30 20, visit@leuven.be
- online via this link