National Museum of Western Art was designed by the Swiss architect Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris (1887–1965), who is more popularly known as Le Corbusier. It is the only representative example of his work in the Far East; and the "New York Times" review of its opening suggested that the building itself presented an "artistic significance and beauty" which rivaled the paintings inside. The multi-story, reinforced concrete building was completed in March 1959 as a symbol of the resumption of diplomatic ties between Japan and France after World War II. The museum was built to house the collection of works gathered by the industrialist Matsukata Kojiro between 1920
Edouard de Woelmont Edouard de Woelmont Mgr. Edouard Charles Emannuel Ghislain, Count de Woelmont d'Hambraine (Namur, 1824-1871) was a Belgian prelate. He was the son of count Joseph de Woelmont d'Hambraine and Constance de Coppin de Conjoux (1790-1854), his brother Ferdinand de Woelmont was a member of the Belgian senate. In 1849 he assisted the needy when the Roman Republic was proclaimed, bringing the blessed sacrament to the suffering. He assisted Mgr. de Merode in the hospitals in Rome before he was sent to Constantinople. and was made a canon of Namur Cathedral in gratitude. For his efforts in the Crimean War he