Oman, Belgium agree on global heritage exhibition
National Museum and Phoebus Foundation partner to showcase early modern art, maps, and shared maritime cultural links
MUSCAT, Oman (MNTV) — Oman and Belgium have signed an agreement to organize an international exhibition titled Wonders of the World: From Maps to Artistic Masterpieces, aimed at deepening cultural and artistic cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement was signed by Jamal Hassan Al Moosawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum, and Dr Katrien Van Cauteren, Chief Executive Officer of the Belgium-based Phoebus Foundation, in the presence of the foundation’s chairman, Ferdinand Huts.
Under the agreement, the exhibition will be hosted at the National Museum from December 2, 2026, to March 2, 2027, highlighting the contributions of Flemish artists and scholars during the early modern period from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
The exhibition will explore how Flemish thinkers sought to understand the world through cartography, the study of nature, and detailed artistic representations that combined scientific inquiry with aesthetic precision.
Organizers said the works emerged from a period marked by expanding trade, exploration, and advanced craftsmanship, reflecting a worldview that valued observation, documentation, and artistic excellence.
The exhibition will place the Flemish experience in dialogue with Omani culture, drawing connections through shared maritime traditions, navigation routes, and mutual interests in materials, visual culture, and global exchange.
The Phoebus Foundation is recognized as one of Europe’s leading cultural institutions, specialising in art collection management, conservation, exhibitions, and academic research related to artistic heritage.
Officials said the initiative aligns with the National Museum’s broader strategy to strengthen international cultural dialogue, promote shared civilizational narratives, and reinforce Oman’s role as a regional hub for cultural exchange and global cooperation.
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