The Institute of Natural Sciences houses 21 oil paintings by artist and shell collector Alphonse Mora (1891–1977). These works depict the richness of marine life, with a particular focus on mollusks. Today, the large painting is in poor condition, while the smaller works urgently need cleaning. With your vote, you can help restore this unique heritage and preserve its scientific and artistic value for the future.

Vote for us!

The Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA) and the National Lottery are organizing the fifth edition of the Heritage Challenge, an annual initiative focused on the preservation and appreciation of heritage in Belgium. For this edition, eight heritage treasures have been nominated. From October 21, 2025, to February 1, 2026, the public can vote for their favorite heritage treasure via the official website, actively contributing to the preservation of Belgian cultural heritage.

For the 2025 edition, KIK selected eight heritage treasures, each contributing uniquely to Belgium’s rich cultural identity:

• The shell paintings at the Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels (21 artworks as an artistic tribute to marine biodiversity)
• The sgraffiti of the Maison Dorée in Charleroi
• The Palace of China and the Silk Road countries in Laeken, Brussels
• The ice cellar of Bedford House Cemetery in Ypres
• The Renaissance pavilion in Mons
• The water basin of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp
• The fashion legacy of Elisabeth D’Aubreby Van Swae in the Fashion Museum in Hasselt
• The alabaster bas-reliefs of Gaasbeek Castle

Voting is open from October 21, 2025, to February 1, 2026, via erfgoedchallenge.be (KIK’s website).

Votes will be combined with the jury’s evaluation. The winner will be announced on February 10, 2026, and will receive not only public recognition but also professional support from KIK in documentation, scientific research, conservation, and restoration. Thanks to the structural support of the National Lottery, a starting budget of €25,000 is awarded to the main winner to initiate sustainable heritage care.

The Shell Paintings at the Institute of Natural Sciences

Our project? The restoration of 21 paintings by Alphonse Mora (1891–1977), artist and shell collector, who immortalized underwater life and marine biodiversity in oil paint. The Antwerp Zoo donated this series—20 smaller works and one monumental canvas—in 2019. Since then, they’ve only been visible during behind-the-scenes tours or visits to the 9th floor.

The Art and Science of Shells

The collection consists of twenty smaller oil paintings (approx. 40 x 60 cm), depicting various mollusk species - especially shellfish. The canvases are mounted on wooden panels and likely date from the 1950s and 1960s. The series also includes a monumental panoramic painting from 1949 (210 x 285 cm), also oil on canvas, and framed. This impressive work offers a broad overview of marine biodiversity, from colorful shells to cnidarians and starfish.
 

Alphonse Mora (1891–1977) was a Flemish painter active in the first half of the 20th century. He painted landscapes, still lifes, and cityscapes, but his marine works reveal his personal passion for nature and science. As a shell collector, Mora was a member of the Royal Belgian Association for Conchology, the science of studying shells. His paintings reflect not only technical skill and attention to detail but also deep knowledge of marine animals and a special fascination with shells.

Restoration as a Lifeline

The twenty smaller paintings are in good condition and well-preserved on their wooden supports, but they require thorough cleaning. The large panoramic painting, however, is in a worrying state. It has a tear of about 17 centimeters and several smaller rips. It is no longer properly stretched on its frame and shows signs of damage from transport. The overall damage seriously hinders the preservation and safe exhibition of the artwork.

Help These Paintings Come Out of Their Shell!

Expert restoration and cleaning by the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage is both necessary and welcome. This intervention will restore the paintings to their original glory and give them a meaningful place in the corridors of the Institute of Natural Sciences.

The institute manages one of the largest mollusk collections in the world! Alphonse Mora’s paintings add a unique aesthetic and educational dimension to this. They form a bridge between art and science, allowing visitors to discover the richness and fragility of marine life in an accessible way. Mora’s oil paintings reinforce the message about the importance of sustainable management and protection of marine biodiversity.
 

Location: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, Brussels
Period of creation: 1949 (1 large painting; 210 x 285 cm) and 1950s–1960s (20 small paintings; 40 x 60 cm)
Artist: Alphonse Mora (1891–1977)
Materials: Oil on canvas, framed or mounted on wooden panels
Owner: RBINS
Inventory number: I.G. 34018
BALaT-link: https://balat.kikirpa.be/object/11009589