Philotheka Art lives on
English Français Nederlands Deutsch

A painting outlives everyone who knows its story.

Who made it, where it hung, why it was kept: that is what is lost first. Record it while someone still knows. You decide nothing today.

Add Art It's Free See the archive
Photograph of Stilleven, an artwork by Omer Crab Photograph of l'Engrenage, an artwork by Andrée Marlière Photograph of Queen Mary 2, an artwork by Frank van de Burg

Looking for a new home

Photograph of Port Port Unknown Looking for a new home Photograph of Mary Mary Looking for a new home Photograph of Kattekop Kattekop Kurt Peiser (1887–1962) Looking for a new home Photograph of La Débauche La Débauche Andrée Marlière Reserved Photograph of Echelle Echelle Andrée Marlière Reserved
See the artworks being rehomed

Identifiable, remembered, ready for its next home.

Before
After Lithography v/z Roger Wittevrongel onRecord EU-539473621750 Medium Lithography, 1980 Custodian First · since 5 Oct 2026

The same artwork. Now it has a name, a number and its story, and they go wherever it goes.

When the time comes

  1. Rehome it to someone you choose from those who apply, at no cost to you.
  2. Name a successor for your records.
  3. If it is ever lost, its record stays.

Why Philotheka is for you

For artists

Your art leaves the studio. Its story goes with it.

  • Record every artwork from the very first piece, as its first custodian.
  • A label on the back leads to your name, wherever the artwork goes.
  • Each artwork gathers its own history: every custodian, every exhibition.

Record your art

For those who keep art

Record it while someone still knows.

  • One photograph and one sentence: who made it, where it hung, why it was kept.
  • A label on the back ties the artwork to its record, for good.
  • When the time comes, give it a new home with someone you choose. Its story goes too.

Add Art It's Free

For art lovers

Most art is not in museums. It lives in homes.

  • Discover art from private homes that few people have ever seen.
  • Follow an artwork and hear when it looks for a new home.
  • Apply to become its next custodian. You do not buy it; you are chosen.

See the artworks being rehomed

Ask while you can.

If a parent or grandparent has art at home, sit down with them and record it together. One photograph, and what they remember. It may be the easiest conversation about later you will ever have.

Its story goes with it

It hung in my grandmother's hallway in Ostend. Nobody in the family knows where she bought it.

An example of what a record can carry to the next home. One sentence is enough to start.

Its story is in your hands for now.

One photograph and one sentence is a record. Add more whenever you remember more.

Add Art It's Free

Photos on your phone? Scan to start there.

Are you an artist? Record your own art.

Sharing is Caring

Philotheka grows by word of mouth. If you know somebody who looks after art, or makes it, tell them: letters to start from, a flyer and pictures to post are ready for you, and your own link and a badge once you are logged in.

Ways to share