Gallery sights in Belgium
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Musée d'Art Ancien
To view the collections of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts chronologically, start with the Musée d'Art Ancien. Begin with the Flemish Primitives, including works by Rogier Van der Weyden, Dirk Bouts, Hans Memling and Gerard David. Move onto Quinten Matsijs, whose paintings demonstrate a turning point in Flemish art as traditional realistic scenes were superseded by the more flamboyant Renaissance style imported from Italy.
The Breugel family, in particular Pieter Breugel the Elder, comes next. The mysterious Fall of Icarus is one of his most famous works, although De Volkstelling (The Census at Bethlehem, painted in 1566) is more typical of his distinctive peasant scenes.…
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Musée d'Art Moderne
The Musée d'Art Moderne houses 19th- and 20th-century art and occupies a subterranean gallery that meanders for six levels below ground. Due to the opening of the new Magritte Museum here, some of the collection has been moved to the Dexia Art Centre in Rue de l'Écuyer. Whether here or there, earlier highlights to look out for include sculptures by Constantin Meunier, Ensor's macabre fighting skeletons, and many paintings by Paul Delvaux.
Other national artists include Léon Spilliaert and Rik Wouters, both of whom belonged to the Fauve group of painters. The international scene is much less extensive but look out for Francis Bacon's delightful Le Pape aux Hiboux (Pope…
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Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal
The splendid Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal is the largest and finest Gothic cathedral in Belgium. It was 169 years in the making (1352-521) and the work of several architects (Appelmans, Domien and Keldermans). Its graceful 123m-high spire was a mighty landmark in early times and is still visible from kilometres around today.
The combined effects of a fire in the Middle Ages, the Iconoclastic Fury and plundering during the French occupation mean that little of what you see today inside the cathedral is original Gothic. Instead, baroque decorations - notably four early canvases by Rubens - adorn its light but imposing interior.
From the centre of the seven-aisled nave, look…
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Trésor du Prieuré d'Oignies
Don't miss the Trésor du Prieuré d'Oignies. This one-room treasury is housed in a modern convent and is guarded by the Sisters of Our Lady. Ring the bell to be taken on a guided tour of the exquisite hoard of Gothic religious treasure (chalices, crosses and reliquaries), much of which was created by Brother Hugo d'Oignies. Like other famous artworks in Belgium, this collection has a colourful history.
During the French Revolution, when art treasures were being carted off to Paris, the monks in charge of the priory where Brother Hugo had lived took the artworks to a local farmer who walled them up in his house. When the last monk died in 1818, the treasure was given to…
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Museum of Contemporary Art
Ghent's highly regarded Museum of Contemporary Art, better known by its acronym, SMAK, is located south of the city centre. It opened in the 1990s under the direction of Jan Hoet, one of Europe's most famous museum curators. It's a huge place and you'll need the map handed out at reception to find any of the big names.
Look out for works by Karel Appel, Pierre Alechinsky and Panamarenko - three of Belgium's best-known modern artists - as well as artworks by international celebrities such as Christo, Warhol and Hockney.
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Museum Van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen
The Museum voor Hedendaagse Kunst Van Antwerpen is housed behind an Art Deco façade in a building that started life as a grain silo. It contains a permanent collection of Belgian and international art dating from the 1970s onwards, although only a fraction is displayed at any one time. Temporary exhibitions are often staged. Bus 23 (direction Zuid) from Franklin Rooseveltplaats stops nearby.
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Wiels
Brussels’ old Art Deco Wielemans-Ceuppens brewery, just southeast of the Marolles, has been converted into a chilled new contemporary art space mounting six temporary exhibitions each year. You can leaf through art magazines at the café-restaurant and occasionally catch live music here.
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Hôtel Hannon & Contretype Photographic Gallery
If you’re into photographic art you might want to catch an exhibition here. Even if you’re not, it’s worth stopping by for the splendid Art Nouveau building in which it’s housed, Hôtel Hannon, designed in 1902 by Jules Brunfaut and graced by stone friezes and stained glass.
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Art Centre of St Peter's Abbey
The Art Centre of St Peter's Abbey is a venue for art and culture exhibitions in the setting of a former abbey. Well worth a look if something's on at the time of your visit.
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De Zwarte Panter
Established in the heady days of 1968, the 'Black Panther' art gallery continues to redefine contemporary art through its exhibitions.
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Treasury
Inside the 13th-century St Salvatorskathedraal, the Treasury displays works by Dirk Bouts and Pourbus.
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Tour Japonaise
On the edge of the Domaine Royal, Tour Japonaise is used for temporary Japanese art exhibitions.
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Museum Van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen
The Museum voor Hedendaagse Kunst Van Antwerpen is housed behind an Art Deco façade in a building that started life as a grain silo. It contains a permanent collection of Belgian and international art dating from the 1970s onwards, although only a fraction is displayed at any one time. Temporary exhibitions are often staged. Bus 23 (direction Zuid) from Franklin Rooseveltplaats stops nearby.
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Provincial Museum of Modern Art
The Provincial Museum of Modern Art, better known as PMMK, exhibits an enjoyable selection of modern Belgian paintings and sculptures. It's a good place to catch a work by recently retired Antwerp sculptor Panamarenko. His Vliegende sigaar - Vliegende tijger (Flying cigar - Flying tiger) stays true to his flights of fancy.
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Het Stadsmus
Het Stadsmus exhibits decorative arts and religious relics, all linked with the history of the town.
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