The Congo Panorama 1913. Colonial Illusion exposed

At its heart is the Congo Panorama, a monumental painting from 1913 that presented an idealised picture of Belgian colonial ‘civilisation’. The exhibition deconstructs this instrument of propaganda using a scale reproduction of the painting. The idyllic portrayal of the colony on canvas hid the violence, exploitation and resistance taking place behind the scenes – fake news avant la lettre. Together with artists, experts, and researchers, the exhibition juxtaposes colonial imagery with historical and contemporary voices, stories, and insights that long remained silent. What does an image show or hide? Which voices are muzzled or heard? By inviting you to take a closer look, the exhibition opens a broader conversation about propaganda, colonisation, and the long shadow it casts.