 The exhibition showed some 400 paintings attributed to the Flemish Primitives, many of which had never before been exhibited.The display of many works by major artists created the first strong opportunity to compare their styles side by side and revise earlier attributions, either from one painter to another or from "work by" to "copy of a work by".The exhibition was opened by King Leopold II of Belgium, and visited by Crown Prince Albert and Crown Princess Elisabeth on 3 July 1902.