The Ancienne Nonciature presents the works of six international contemporary artists, supported by their galleries, created during the Quinta do Pinhô Artists Residency,
- Guy de Malherbe – Galerie La Forest Divonne
- Jörg Bräuer – Frédérick Mouraux Gallery
- Shirley Villavicencio Pizango – Sofie Van de Velde Gallery
- Stan Van Steendam – Galerie Romero Paprocki
- Nathalie Vanheule
- Robin Wen – Belgian Gallery
The curatorial team for this new exhibition is made up of two prominent figures with a passion for art, whose collaboration is the result of some previous enriching encounters : Anne Derasse for the Ancienne Nonciature and Hubert d’Ursel for the Quinta do Pinhô Artists Residency.
This mansion, a manifesto of neoclassicism, was the former Vatican Embassy in Brussels. Cardinal Pecci was apostolic nuncio here in the mid-19th century and later became Pope Leo XIII. Anne Derasse, owner of the premises, interior designer and art historian, has restored it with perseverance and sensitivity and has set up her offices there, while the majestic ceremonial rooms, imbued with a subtle refinement, are opened up for selected events in the field of art. Together with her partner, the artist Jörg Bräuer, she is breathing new life into this iconic venue to make it a popular stop on the art scene. Together, they are committed to promoting artistic talent through exhibitions and concerts in this historic location.
In her architectural projects, Anne Derasse creates timeless worlds that are, paradoxically, contemporary. Above all, she seeks to preserve the ‘soul of a place’ – that primal emotion a building conveys, transcending the ravages of time. She has just published a second monograph devoted to her projects, featuring superb photographs by her partner Jörg Bräuer, entitled ‘Anne Derasse – Le Temps intérieur - Inner Time’, published by Beta-Plus and illustrated with prestigious projects such as the Château de Calon Ségur in the Médoc, the Delvaux boutique in Brussels, l’Ancienne Nonciature in Brussels, and the Château de Montmoreau in Charente. A connection is established between the history of the sites, the architectural restoration and the contemporary nature of the selected works. In the light of time, the present encompasses the past, giving rise to a meaningful rebirth.
Midtown - Gallery
Tuesday - Saturday, (11 am to 6 pm)
Ancienne Nonciature - Place du Grand Sablon - 7, Rue des Sablons - 1000 Brussels
ARTE NUNZIO
This is a new concept created by the Ancienne Nonciature for the artistic events it organises, drawing its Italian consonance in reference to the apostolic nuncio (nunzio), the Pope’s ambassador to these places. Thus, this former Vatican Embassy has found a new identity to become the ‘Embassy of the Arts’ under the impetus of Anne Derasse and Jörg Bräuer. At the meeting of the centuries, between art and history, an alchemy has been created.
Quinta do Pinhô Artists Residency
Since 2023, Quinta do Pinhô has organised an annual Artists Residency, an international programme dedicated to supporting contemporary creation in a unique and inspiring environment. Each year, a select group of artists from different disciplines—curated by Hubert d’Ursel—is invited to spend two weeks living and working at the quinta, benefiting from dedicated time, space, and conditions designed to foster research, experimentation, and dialogue. Hubert d’Ursel brings extensive experience in the art world. He was formerly Director at Sotheby’s Belgium and Europe for over 18 years, later developed the art advisory division at Degroof Petercam, and has been part of The Fine Art Group since 2021.
Located on a hillside in Portugal’s Douro region, Quinta do Pinhô offers an exceptional setting where nature, history, and artistic practice intersect. Formerly one of the four estates of the Cistercian Monastery of Salzedas, the property was rediscovered by our family in 2013 after decades of abandonment and has since been carefully restored. Today, the estate—surrounded by vineyards and olive groves—provides a peaceful and immersive environment, conducive to both individual work and collective exchange.
Throughout their stay, the residency programme is conceived as a platform for encounter and reflection, where residents are invited to engage with the landscape and the cultural heritage of the region, which often becomes an integral part of their creative process. The final weekend culminates in an open studio, welcoming the public and fostering a broader exchange. This year, for the first time, the works created during the residency will be exhibited in September at L’ Ancienne Nonciature, in Brussels.