Research projects

Discover the research projects our scientific team is currently conducting into the different collections at the Royal Museum of Mariemont.

The scientific team

Lyce Jankowski, conservatrice des Arts extra-européens en visite guidée

Each curator is responsible for one of the museum sections (Egyptian & Near Eastern Antiquities, Greek & Roman Antiquities, Regional & Estate Archaeology, Decorative Arts, Non-European Arts, Regional & Estate History), its preservation and development. They also create the content for the Museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions in their own specific field.

Discover their research work and résumés.

Egyptian and Near East Antiquities

« Clone of Face to Face : The people behind the mummy portraits »

L’objectif est de conduire une recherche dans laquelle douze portraits de momies (dits Portraits du Fayoum) datant du 1er au 4e siècle de notre ère seront étudiés à l'aide des plus récentes techniques d'imagerie spectrale à large bande.

« Clone of Face to Face : The people behind the mummy portraits »

L’objectif est de conduire une recherche dans laquelle douze portraits de momies (dits Portraits du Fayoum) datant du 1er au 4e siècle de notre ère seront étudiés à l'aide des plus récentes techniques d'imagerie spectrale à large bande.

« Egyptian treasures from Wallonia »

In 2012, the Wallonia region placed a collection of several hundred Egyptian objects on long term loan with the museum. Belgian and French Egyptologists and young researchers are helping us to examine these truly remarkable pieces .

Greek and Roman Antiquities

« A new insight into the roman cult of Mithras »

This research programme is investigating the Cult of Mithras, a mysterious god from the East who was worshipped extensively in the Roman Empire.

« Polychrome : the colours of roman sculptures revealed »

This project, directed by Elisabetta Neri (Post-doctorate student at the Universities of Liege and Florence), is investigating the social significance of colour in Roman times.

« Gods and godesses from roman houses »

The Royal Museum of Mariemont’s Greco-Roman antiquities include a large number of bronze statuettes of Roman deities. They hail from small temples in Roman homes spread over all four corners of the Empire.

« On the trail of Mariemont's antiques »

Mariemont’s Greco-Roman collections were devised and put together at the turn of the 20th century. Most of the pieces came to us from collectors and antique dealers.

Regional & Estate Archaeology

« History and archaeology of the gardens: from the Renaissance to the 21st century »

The entire estate is packed with features dating back to at least the 16th century, including buildings (such as the superintendency), roads, old enclosures, icehouses, fishponds and garden and landscape features.

« Merovingian necropoli of the Haine valley »

This collaborative research programme aims to cross-reference archaeological, biological and material data in order to gain a better understanding of individuals, their relationships and their environments.

« Between local and global. Exhibiting regional archaeology in a European perspective »

Regional archaeological collections have been perceived in different ways over the years. Today, territorial representation is vitally important.

« From archaeological site to museum: managing objects found on digs »

Taking in finds from recent digs, their long-term preservation, incorporating them into their collections and displaying them to different audiences are all on-going challenges faced by archaeological museums.

Decorative Arts

« Fashion collections »

The aim of this research is to appraise the textiles, clothing and vast amount of lace currently in the museum’s storerooms.

« Porcelain in Belgium, the creative hub of Europe: Brussels porcelain »

The heart of the Decorative Arts section is a large collection of porcelain, mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries, showing the variety of products produced by Belgian manufacturers.

« The decorative arts of the 18th and 19th centuries: tangible culture, visual culture, collection procedures »

The notion of decorative arts is itself problematic. It reflects the tension between the utilitarian and aesthetic values of the objects in question.

Non-European Art

« Dreaming of Exoticism: decorative art exported from and inspired by the East »

The term chinoiserie refers to Chinese-inspired objects produced in Europe. These pieces might have, in turn, inspired Chinese artisans when producing goods for export.

« The popularity and accessibility of Asian art in Europe (1850-1950) »

Belgians encountered Asian art at the turn of the century at universal exhibitions, through pieces sent over by foreign national committees.

Regional & Estate History

« The Great Century of Burgundian Rule: a challenge for Belgian history? »

In recent years, the public has shown a new interest in the Burgundian period through exhibitions, popular publications and high-quality television productions.

« A place for relaxation and a seat of power: the origins of Mariemont under Mary of Hungary »

L’implantation, la construction et l’aménagement paysager d’un pavillon de chasse en lisière des bois de Morlanwelz pour le compte de Marie de Hongrie, gouvernante générale des anciens Pays-Bas durant le règne de Charles Quint, est un phénomène étudié.