Like many banks, large firms and institutions, the European Parliament has an Art Collection.
The European Parliament’s art collection started in 1980 on the initiative of Simone Veil, the first President of the directly elected Parliament. Over the years, the European Parliament has acquired numerous works of art representing the heritage of all EU countries.
The collection currently consists of over 500 paintings, sculptures and other works, including works donated or on loan from national parliaments and other institutions.
The works of art are displayed at the European Parliament’s three places of work in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg. In order to give everyone a chance to enjoy the collection, the European Parliament opened an online gallery in December 2011.
The most monumental work by the famous Belgian sculptor Olivier Strebelle, the 34-metre-high “Confluence,” is built into the stairwell atrium of the Altiero Spinelli building. It symbolises the unity and interpenetration of EU cultures and spirals into the sky. If you look up, contrary to the critical film “Don’t Look Up” (especially against politicians), you will see marvellous clouds floating across the sky through the spiral of the sculpture.
The collection consists of artefacts from EU countries, but there are also inclusions of non-EU countries, such as a tribal canvas from Australia. The top officials of the European Parliament themselves choose from the collection for their offices.
