The 175th anniversary of the Kingdom of Belgium provides the pretext for a fascinating exhibition about romanticism, an artistic movement which emerged around the same time as the creation of the Belgian state in 1830. It was a time of Great Emotions: a swell of nationalism and a new sense of independence, passion and sentiment, heroism and death, freedom and rights.
The new state of Belgium awakened an interest in the nation’s history and in historical figures, but equally it gave rise to a languishing escapism which was expressed in exotic subjects.
The exhibition also looks at social issues and at the influence of religion. Landscape paintings reflect nostalgia for the vanishing rural life and portraits are impregnated with the perfume of the age. The exhibition as a whole is rounded off with an evocation of King Leopold I, the founder of the Belgian dynasty.
The ING Culture Centre is transformed into a romantic gallery of drawings, where drawings and sketches illustrate the development from initial concept to completed work of art.
Finally, special attention is paid to Brussels’ unique Wiertz Museum, where time has stood still.
Practical information
Museum of Ancient Art: 3, rue de la Régence, 1000 Brussels.
ING Culture Centre: Place royale 6, 1000 Brussels
Antoine Wiertz Museum: rue Vautier 62, 1050 Brussels
Opening times: Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. The museums are closed on Mondays and on May 1, 2005
Tickets: Admission is € 8 for adults. Special rates are available for senior citizens, schools, groups, young people (under 26), history of art students, the disabled and the unemployed. Admission is free for children up to age 13, accompanied by a parent. For reservations and information call: 01132/70 22 30 20 or visit the website at: www.fine-arts-museum.be
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts
These leading museums house two impressive collections. The collection of ancient art comprises masterpieces by Bruegel, Van der Weyden, Bouts, Memling, Bosch, Cranach, Van Dyck and Rubens. The collection of modern art includes magnificent works by painters such as Magritte, David, Seurat, Dali, Ensor, Ernst, Broodthaers and Delvaux.
Important: The admission ticket for the ‘Romanticism in Belgium’ exhibition also entitles visitors to have access to the permanent collections of the Museums for Ancient and Modern Art. Exception: Thursdays between 17 and 21.00 hrs.
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