Canary Islands Foundation Hosts Series on Historic Flemish Art Ties
The Canary Islands Foundation for Flemish Art is hosting a series of talks and documentary premieres at the CajaCanarias Cultural Space to explore the historic artistic and commercial ties between the archipelago and the Low Countries.
Starting this Monday at 7:00 p.m., the Canary Islands Foundation for Flemish Art will host a series of talks at the CajaCanarias Cultural Space in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. According to Diario de Avisos, the initiative aims to explore the deep artistic and commercial ties between the Canary Islands and the Low Countries during the 16th and 17th centuries. The program, which continues on May 18 and 25, will feature the premiere of three new documentaries highlighting how this European region shaped the religious and material culture of Tenerife and La Palma.
Led by researcher Agustín Guimerá Ravina, the project examines the Islands’ role as a vital Atlantic trade hub. Driven by the sugar and wine industries, the archipelago enjoyed significant economic prosperity, allowing it to acquire one of the world’s most important collections of Flemish art—nearly 400 pieces of which still survive today. This wealth helped the Islands avoid the demographic crises that hit mainland Europe during the 17th century, and the foundation is now working to ensure this heritage is protected.
The series includes expert discussions featuring Xavier Gil, a professor of modern history at the University of Barcelona, and Manuel Lobo from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Topics will range from the complex political alliances between the Spanish monarchy and Flemish territories to how religious tensions of the time influenced art. The program concludes on May 25 with a performance of Spanish Renaissance music by Camerata Iberia. All talks and concerts will be digitized and made available to the public.
Established in 2022 by Guimerá and Tomás van de Walle, the foundation is supported by various public institutions and private collectors. Beyond documentaries, the organization is creating cultural guides and educational resources for key works, such as the Triptych of Nava y Grimón. Ultimately, the founders hope to share this history with Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, strengthening the Canary Islands' identity as a historic center for international exchange.