Van Eyck, Jan (approx. 1385 - 1441). Active mostly in Bruges. He has been credited with the actual invention of oil-painting, although it is more probable that he perfected a brand new technique, creating unsurpassed masterworks. For one of his major paintings, the Ghent altarpiece, he collaborated with his brother Hubert (approx. 1366 - 1426).

Van der Weyden, Rogier (1399 - 1464). Also known under the name of Roger de la Pasture. Active mostly in Brussels. As perfect technically as Van Eyck, he introduced pathos in his religious paintings and a certain form of sensuality in his portraits of women. He had an enormous influence on the other Flemish Primitives and on the Italian painters of the Renaissance.

Memling, Hans (approx. 1433 - 1494). Active mostly in Bruges. Greatly influenced by Van Eyck and Van der Weyden, he added psychological truth, blended with melancholy and tranquil lyricism, to his fabulous craftsmanship.

Bruegel, Pieter (approx. 1530 - 1569). Active in Antwerp and Brussels. Also called Pieter Bruegel the Elder, to differentiate him from his sons who also became illustrous painters. Famous for his depictions of the life of the peasants, his art has a much wider spectrum and is an incredibly subtle, albeit rather pessimistic, reflection on the human condition.

Rubens, Peter Paul (1577 - 1640). Active mostly in Antwerp. The Prince of Flemish Painting and its most flamboyant representative. Although some of his subjects do not always correspond to our present tastes, he can rightly be considered as one of the greatest painters of all time. His technique is universally admired by his fellow painters. His paintings of his family seduce us with their humanity that transcends his breath-taking virtuosity.

Van Dyck, Antoon (1599 - 1641). Pupil and friend of Rubens, and nearly as gifted. Active in Antwerp and England, where he is called Sir Anthony Van Dyck. Particularly famous for his portraits, an art-form in which he excelled and in which he has never been equalled or surpassed. His colours are tremendously subtle and he masterfully rendered the psychological truth of his models.

Ensor, James (1860 - 1949). Active in Ostend. Ensor can be considered to be the Father of Expressionism. His first works can loosely be described as post-impressionist, but around 1883 he found his way by creating a most original and tragi-comical world of masks and skeletons, in bright and pure colours.

Magritte, René (1898 - 1966). Active in Brussels. One of the major representatives of Surrealism. His paintings are often based on semantics. Each work is a surprise which forces the viewer to re-consider the reality of the world as perceived through the senses and the intelligence.