The MIM's collection of harpsichords and virginals includes 18 instruments bearing the Ruckers signature. This constitutes the most important collection of Ruckers instruments in the world, showcasing the exceptional skill of Flemish musical instrument makers. From the late sixteenth century onward, the name Ruckers dominated harpsichord making in Northern Europe. Their influence extended far beyond Europe, and their fame endured long after their period of activity.
Given the major significance of these 18 instruments, a dedicated project was launched to conserve, study, restore, and valorize them. The project was initiated in response to a call for proposals on the preservation of Belgium’s artistic heritage, part of an action program promoting the safeguarding of important elements of Belgian furniture patrimony, launched by the King Baudouin Foundation. The project was made possible thanks to an initial grant of €60,000 from the Baillet Latour Foundation.
The Ruckers project is directed by Pascale Vandervellen.
The main objectives of the project
1. Study
Despite their value, the 18 signed Ruckers instruments in the MIM collection have not yet been the object of comprehensive study. In the first phase, the project focuses on the scientific documentation of each instrument, involving traditional examination and measurements, as well as X-rays, CAT scans, dendrochronology of the soundboards, analysis of printed paper, analysis of pigments and mediums used on the painted surfaces, stratigraphic sections, infrared imaging, and ultraviolet examination. The results of these analyses, combined with comparisons to other existing Ruckers instruments in public and private collections, significantly enrich current organological knowledge in a pioneering way.
2. Restoration
The second phase aims to restore the 18 instruments, consolidating their materials and clarifying their aesthetic state. Some instruments bear 18th- or 19th-century decorations, while the original decoration—most often printed paper—is sometimes partially preserved beneath later paint layers. Decisions about whether to preserve the current decoration or return to a previous or original state are made consciously, based on the analyses conducted during the study phase.
3. Valorization
This exceptional heritage, together with its study and proposed restoration, deserves proper recognition. Since restoration, the instruments have been displayed on rotation in the permanent exhibition room. In 2017, the MIM also produced a publication detailing all aspects of the project. On this link, you can find a list of the paintings used as decoration on the Ruckers instruments, as mentioned in the publication.
