Overview

The first new room in the Royal Museums of Art and History, at 715 m², is devoted to Belgian Art Nouveau and Art Deco. The focus is on Art Nouveau, a style that originated in Belgium around 1900 and enjoyed phenomenal success here. Visitors receive a good overview of the diversity of formal interpretations so typical of this style in wealthy Belgium. In addition to the impressive achievements of Victor Horta and Henry Van de Velde, other architects and designers such as Paul Hankar, Léon Sneyers, Paul Hamesse, Gustave Serrurier-Bovy, Oscar van de Voorde and many others are also presented in detail. The masterpiece is undoubtedly the Winter Garden, designed by Victor Horta for Brussels engineer Jean Cousin. This monumental structure was dismantled in the 1960s and has now been fully restored. The same room is also home to Belgian Art Deco. This style took off in 1925 thanks to the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris. Belgian entries also excelled in this area. Visitors will discover evidence of this in the new room, as well as many other memorable expressions of this style as it flourished between the wars, culminating in 1940. The Royal Museum of Art & History’s exceptional Art Nouveau and Art Deco collections are the result of deliberate, historic purchases and loans, in which artistic quality played a selective role. Visitors will also be surprised to discover what was hidden behind the facades of some of Brussels’ most important Art Nouveau mansions. The second new room, covering some 500 m², showcases 19th-century decorative arts. The concept follows the evolution of styles, with Empire, Neo-Gothic and Japonism preceding Art Nouveau. It also features societal changes. These include the themes of industrialisation, transport, leisure, attention to children, the division of the home interiors into different rooms and so on, all of which focused primarily on the social class of the bourgeoisie. Of course, this room also features a number of exceptional works. They include furniture from the Jacob family of French cabinetmakers, used at the Duchess of Richmond’s ball on the eve of the Battle of Quatre Bras and three days before the decisive Battle of Waterloo. Candlesticks by the Parisian goldsmith Odiot from the estate of Count Thierry de Looz-Corswarem will also be on display, on loan from the King Baudouin Foundation. The 19th century has also been in the spotlight since June 2025, with numerous international and Belgian creations. The collections are spectacular, but remained hidden from the public for many years. Initial partial access to the public was granted in 2017 with the opening of the Wolfers Frères jewellery store and the exhibition of smaller Art Nouveau and Art Deco decorative objects. These are of Belgian and international origin. Self-guided tours of the new rooms on Saturday and Sunday, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. Guided tours subject to reservation (FR/NL/EN) Saturday and Sunday from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Photographs are permitted, but without a flash or tripod.

Practical information

Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00

Royal Museums of Art and History, parc du Cinquantenaire 10, 1000 Brussels

Advance booking not required. Advance booking is required for the guided tours.

Accessible with assistance

Address
Royal Museums of Art and History, parc du Cinquantenaire 10, 1000 Brussels