Located in the chapel of an old almshouse, it houses the art collection of the Ypres Public Centre for Social Welfare (OCMW in Dutch).

A charitable institution was established in c.1273 by Christine de Guinness, the widow of Salomon Belle.

Jehan Yperman, the first medical writer in Dutch, worked in the foundation from 1304 until his death in 1331.

The architects were Georges Lernould and Jules Coomans, who drew up some of the plans, but died before building work had started.

The rest of the collection includes more paintings by old masters, a 17th-century altar draping, and a 17th-century linen-press.