Muscat: The agreement was signed on behalf of the National Museum by Jamal bin Hassan Al-Mousawi, Secretary General of the Museum, and on behalf of the Belgian foundation by Katharina Van Cauteren, CEO of the Phoebus Cultural Foundation.

Scheduled to run from December 2, 2026 to March 2, 2027, the exhibition will spotlight the contributions of Flemish artists and scientists from the 16th to 18th centuries, a formative period in the early modern era. Through rare maps, scientific studies of plants, shells and minerals, and finely detailed artistic works, the exhibition explores how these figures combined scientific precision with artistic beauty to interpret the world around them.

The showcased works emerged from a culture shaped by trade, craftsmanship and a deep spirit of discovery, one that viewed the world as a space worthy of close observation and reflection. The exhibition places this Flemish worldview in a balanced cultural dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman, drawing parallels in shared maritime horizons, navigation traditions, material knowledge and visual culture.

The Belgian Phoebus Cultural Foundation is recognised as one of Europe’s leading cultural institutions, dedicated to acquiring, preserving and managing artistic collections, while also organising exhibitions, cultural programmes and scientific research that safeguard artistic heritage and make it accessible to the public.