Modern & Contemporary Art Exhibitions in Tervuren

The exhibition The Congo Panorama 1913. Colonial illusion exposed critically examines colonial propaganda and the realities it concealed. At its heart is the Congo Panorama, a monumental painting from 1913 that presented an idealised picture of Belgian colonial ‘civilisation’. The exhibition deconstructs this instrument of propaganda using a scale reproduction of the painting. The idyllic portrayal of the colony on canvas hid the violence, exploitation and resistance taking place behind the scenes – fake news avant la lettre. Together with artists, experts, and researchers, the exhibition juxtaposes colonial imagery with historical and contemporary voices, stories, and insights that long remained silent. What does an image show or hide? Which voices are muzzled or heard? By inviting you to take a closer look, the exhibition opens a broader conversation about propaganda, colonisation, and the long shadow it casts.

The exhibition The Congo Panorama 1913. Colonial illusion exposed critically examines colonial propaganda and the realities it concealed. At its heart is the Congo Panorama, a monumental painting from 1913 that presented an idealised picture of Belgian colonial ‘civilisation’. The exhibition deconstructs this instrument of propaganda using a scale reproduction of the painting. The idyllic portrayal of the colony on canvas hid the violence, exploitation and resistance taking place behind the scenes – fake news avant la lettre. Together with artists, experts, and researchers, the exhibition juxtaposes colonial imagery with historical and contemporary voices, stories, and insights that long remained silent. What does an image show or hide? Which voices are muzzled or heard? By inviting you to take a closer look, the exhibition opens a broader conversation about propaganda, colonisation, and the long shadow it casts.

Step back in time to 1913 and discover the Congo Panorama, a monumental work that captivated thousands of visitors at the Ghent World Exhibition. At first glance, this gigantic painting immerses us in an idyllic vision of the Belgian colony – a perfectly staged ‘civilising mission.’ But the reality behind this alluring image is very different… The tour examines what the image shows and what it hides. Which voices are heard, and which ones are silenced? Learn how the panorama obscures violence, exploitation, and uprisings, and how it functions as ‘fake news’ well before the term was coined. Through contributions from artists, experts, and researchers, the exhibition brings the official narrative up against long-muted voices. It invites you to deconstruct the colonial imagination by observing it critically, questioning propaganda, and reflecting on the legacy of colonisation whose influence is still widely felt today. Prepare yourself for a visit that blends art, history, and reflection, and for an open dialogue on how images shape our perception of the world.

Step back in time to 1913 and discover the Congo Panorama, a monumental work that captivated thousands of visitors at the Ghent World Exhibition. At first glance, this gigantic painting immerses us in an idyllic vision of the Belgian colony – a perfectly staged ‘civilising mission.’ But the reality behind this alluring image is very different… The tour examines what the image shows and what it hides. Which voices are heard, and which ones are silenced? Learn how the panorama obscures violence, exploitation, and uprisings, and how it functions as ‘fake news’ well before the term was coined. Through contributions from artists, experts, and researchers, the exhibition brings the official narrative up against long-muted voices. It invites you to deconstruct the colonial imagination by observing it critically, questioning propaganda, and reflecting on the legacy of colonisation whose influence is still widely felt today. Prepare yourself for a visit that blends art, history, and reflection, and for an open dialogue on how images shape our perception of the world.