Acknowledgements

A book like this cannot be made without the help and advice of several people. On a personal level, my thanks go to my husband Bruno Vergauwen for his endless support and the beautiful illustrations in this book and on the cover.

A big thank you also goes out to everyone at Murdoch Books, my main publisher since my debut book in 2016.

Then there are people I thank for their advice and expertise and sometimes even unique access. Thank you Liesbeth De Belie from KMSK Brussels and Frédéric Jonckheere from KMSK Antwerp for allowing me in the catacombs of the museum to study some of the important works of art in this book. To Erfgoed Bibliotheek Hendrik Conscience Antwerp, in particular Peter Rogiest. Thank you Andre Delcart for bringing me into contact with patacon artist Marie-Christine Meire, and Marie-Christine for sharing your knowledge.