Belgian Art & Diplomacy

The link between art and diplomacy is not immediately obvious. Diplomacy is a world of consensus and compromise, of rules of protocol and legislative frameworks, of rounded corners and discreet approaches. Art and artists, on the other hand, have a more rebellious and dissident image, or are at the very least seen as critical and questioning; flouting labels, they are not afraid to break down the sacrosanct boundaries between genres.

Yet there is no need to get bogged down in clichéd representations of the two worlds. After all, Rubens was also known for his diplomatic skills. And isn't the role of cultural diplomacy becoming increasingly important?

Read also: Art & diplomacy, a close duo