Three books, three stories: collection books for Abby Kortrijk

Designed by Tim Bisschop and in collaboration with five leading art critics, three collection books were produced, each highlighting a different part of the Abby collection:

1. A whale from Delft, ox blood from China – Ceramics in Kortrijk
   By Marieke De Baerdemaeker and Jo Tollebeek
   The first book covers ceramics from all corners of the world and across the centuries, with a particular focus on identity, function and origin. The authors take you on a journey from prehistoric urns to home-grown art deco vases.
2. Flemish inns and Bohemian forests – Visual arts 1500–1800
   By Oliver Kik
   This book looks at “old art” through the eyes of Oliver Kik. The Kortrijk collection reveals its roots in guild art and European migration of artists.
3. Outdoors and indoors – Visual arts 1800–1914
   By Marjan Sterckx and Tom Verschaffel
   An era of change and refinement, in which both romanticism and realism, bourgeoisie and avant-garde find their place. From winter landscapes and genre scenes to symbolist portraits: this book is an ode to nineteenth-century art in Flanders.