The end of the Ensor year 2024!

Ensor, whimsical dreams. Beyond Impressionism
Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) 28/09/2024 – 19/01/2025

With 'Ensor, whimsical dreams. Beyond 'Impressionism', the KMSKA presents one of the largest Belgian exhibitions devoted to Ensor since 1999. Ensor's works are displayed alongside those of artists with whom he aspired to measure himself up, and even compete, such as Monet, Manet, Renoir, Munch, and Nolde. Two fundamental aspects of Ensor's art are at the heart of the exhibition : the desire of a Belgian avant-gardist to go "beyond Impressionism" to express our "wildest dreams". 

https://kmska.be/en/evenement/inyourwildestdreams

States of imagination. Ensor and the graphic experience
Plantin Moretus Museum, Antwerp 28/09/2024 – 19/01/2025

In his youth, Ensor tried his hand at engraving techniques. For the first time, Ensor' s States of Imagination exhibition presents the most outstanding works from this period: preparatory drawings, copper plates and various states of the etchings. Ensor transforms prints into unique works of art by hand-colouring them in coloured pencil, chalk or watercolour.

More information: https://museumplantinmoretus.be/en/activity/ensors-states-imagination  

 

Masquerade, make-up & Ensor
Fashion Museum (MoMu), Antwerp 28/09/2024 – 02/02/2025

The exhibition Masquerade, Make-up & Ensor extends Ensor's ideas about masquerade, (false) coquetry, seduction, deception, artifice and transience into the present. MoMu celebrates the 'painters' of fashion – the craftsmanship and inexhaustible creativity of make-up and hairdressing artists – in a multimedia exhibition where light, colour, art, fashion and make-up meet.
More information: https://www.momu.be/en/exhibitions

Cindy Sherman. Anti-Fashion
FOMU
27/09/2024 – 02/02/2025

The American artist Cindy Sherman (USA, 1954) is known, like Ensor, for her critical and ironic comments on social conventions through masquerades. For nearly fifty years, the theme of fashion has been the common thread running through Cindy Sherman's work. The exhibition Anti-Fashion focuses on this point and highlights her photographic work from a new perspective, reflecting the interplay between fashion and art.

More information: https://fomu.be/en/exhibitions/cindy-sherman
Untitled #414, 2003, Chromogenic color print
© Cindy Sherman, Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth

James Ensor. Satire, parody, pastiche
Maison Ensor, Ostend
19/09/2024 – 12/01/2025

In James Ensor's varied work, satire is one of his favorite modes of expression. The Ostend painter's humour, often grating, sometimes frankly brazen, is revealed in scenes of a grotesque or burlesque nature in which he does not hesitate to mock historical facts, to denounce social injustices or to criticise the politics of his time.

More information: https://www.visitoostende.be/en/james-ensor-satire-parody-pastiche

 

Margaret, daughter of Emperor
MOU, Oudenaarde
21/09/2024 – 05/01/2025

Margaret of Parma (1522-1586), born in Oudenaarde, was the natural daughter of Emperor Charles V and his servant Johanna Van de Gheynst. As the emperor's first child, she played a significant role in 16th-century European history. The exhibition 'Marguerite. Daughter of the Emperor, between power and image' showcases key portraits of Margaret and a collection of unique objects, highlighting her influence and her passion as a patron and collector of Flemish tapestries. For more details, visit here.

Emile Claus, Prince of Luminism
Museum of Deinze and the Pays de la Lys (mudel), Deinze27/09/2024 – 26/01/2025

 

In honour of the 100th anniversary of Emile Claus's death, the Mudel Museum is hosting a special exhibition celebrating the artist's legacy. Known for his deep connection to the Lys region, Claus (1849-1924) is closely linked to the museum's collection. The exhibition showcases a selection of his masterpieces from various periods of his career, made possible through collaborations with the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent (MSK) and loans from both public and private collections. For more details, visit here.

 

 

Erich Heckel in Flanders
Museum of Fine Arts (MSK), Ghent
12/10/2024 – 26/01/2025

Erich Heckel (1883-1970), a key figure in German Expressionism and co-founder of the Brücke Art Association, had a significant but lesser-known connection to Flanders. During World War I, he worked as a Red Cross nurse in Roeselare, Ostend, and Ghent, where he développer a fascination with the region's cities and landscapes. The MSK's monographic exhibition explores this unique period in Heckel's career, shedding light on his artistic experiences in Flanders.

For more information, visit here.

 

Sketches. From Rubens to Khnopff
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels 11/10/2024 – 16/02/2025

The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (RMFAB) are exploring the question, "How is a work of art born?" through an exhibition focused on sketching. The exhibit highlights the creative process at its core, showcasing the various forms of sketches that lay the foundation for masterpieces. It offers insight into the initial, often unseen steps of the artistic journey, emphasizing the importance of the sketch as a vital part of artistic creation.

 

Old drawings. From Bruegel to Rubens
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels 11/10/2024 – 16/02/2025

Two centuries of the art of drawing come to life in this surprising selection of nearly a hundred works. From the most meticulously finished works of Pieter Bruegel to the swirling style of Rubens.

More information: https://fine-arts-museum.be/en/exhibitions/old-drawings

 

For your diary in 2025

Flemish Masters 'in situ'

Visit Flanders thematic year 2025

The new website Flemish Masters in Situ offers a unique opportunity to explore the original contexts of the works left behind by the Flemish Masters. The site presents thematic routes, highlighting hidden treasures across various regions:

• The Masters by the Lys: Discover how Sint-Martens-Latem became a hub for Symbolism, Impressionism, and Expressionism.
• The Masters of the Sea: Experience the works of Ensor, Spilliaert, Delvaux, and Permeke, all inspired by the sea.
• Artists' Houses: Explore the studios and homes of Flemish Masters, where their creative essence is palpable.
• Mechelen Masters and More: Delve into the rich cultural history of Mechelen, featuring masterpieces by Rubens and his protégés, along with the "Rubens in Stone" tour.
• Masters of the Imagination: A journey through the religious heritage of Leuven and its surroundings.

For more information, visit here.

 

Leuven, a university city for 600 years

Leuven, a dynamic and innovative city, is set to celebrate the 600th anniversary of KU Leuven in 2025. This milestone year promises a variety of events, festivals, and exhibitions, offering an opportunity to explore the city's rich university heritage, including landmarks like the university library, Arenberg Castle, the thermotechnical institute, and the zoological museum.

Two key highlights of the anniversary celebrations include:

• Art & Science Trail: In mid-May, a contemporary art route will feature new installations that explore the intersection of art, science, and society. Curators Heidi Ballet and Stéphane Symons will guide visitors through a captivating journey through the university's architectural heritage.
• A Labyrinth, an Invitation to Wander: The artist duo Gijs Van Vaerenbergh will install a unique structure called "Dwaaltuin" in Arenberg Park. This symbolic labyrinth invites exploration and reflection, aligning with the university's values of scientific research, discovery, and questioning.

For more details, visit here.

 

An eternal spring. Gardens and tapestries in the Renaissance
Hof Van Busleyden Museum, Mechelen
14/12/2024 – 16/03/2025

The exhibition An Eternal Spring centres around an extraordinary series of tapestries that once adorned the Brussels palace of Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle, a cardinal and art collector from the 16th century. These tapestries, now housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, form an allegorical garden that embodies the Renaissance ideals and fascination with antiquity.  In addition to this tapestry series, the exhibition also showcases other masterpieces from Granvelle's collection, offering a deeper insight into his legacy as a patron of the arts.

For more information, visit here.

Eloquent Formalism / Out of this world
Musée D'Hondt-Dhaenens (MDD), Deurle17/11/2024 – 06/04/2025

     

After a major renovation, the D'Hondt-Dhaenens Museum has opened its annex with a double exhibition showcasing major works, including pieces from the private collection of Jan and Lieve Andries-Vanlouwe, former museum administrators.

The first exhibition, Eloquent Formalism, features works by Léon Spilliaert, René Magritte, Pierre Alechinsky, Panamarenko, Hilde Van Sumere, Marthe Wéry, and international artists such as Mark Rothko and Gerhard Richter.

In the renovated patio, Out of This World presents works by German cult artist Blinky Palermo for the first time in Belgium, alongside creations by Luc Tuymans and American artist Robert Grosvenor.

For more details, visit here.

 Constant Permeke. Down to earth
Permekemuseum, Jabbeke 30/11/2024 - 21/04/2025

The Down to Earth exhibition explores the work of sculptor Constant Permeke, focusing on the connection between his sculptures, paintings, and drawings. Featuring around forty works by Permeke, the exhibition also highlights the contributions of his contemporaries, including Aristide Maillol, Ossip Zadkine, Oscar Jespers, Käthe Kollwitz, and Ernst Barlach. This exhibition offers a comprehensive look at Permeke's artistic evolution and his place within the broader context of European sculpture and art.

For more details, visit here.

Linearity. Luc Peire en Roland de Brock
Peiremuzee, Knokke-Heist16/12/2024 - 09/06/2025

Linearity. Luc Peire and Roland De Brock is an exhibition that explores the exceptional friendship between the artist Luc Peire and the collector Roland De Brock. Their shared passion for art led to a lasting bond, along with their wives, Jenny and Jacqueline. Roland and Jacqueline De Brock founded the Exagon gallery in Knokke, which played a signifiants role in promoting art.

The Peiremuzee, part of Mu.ZEE and the Permeke Museum, is dedicated to Belgian art from 1880 to the present day, and this exhibition showcases the unique relationship between Peire and De Brock, highlighting their mutual influence.

For more information, visit here.

Compassion
MAS, Antwerp
31/01 – 31/08/2025

The COMPASSION exhibition explores the theme of compassion, highlighting how this deeply human emotion is expressed across different eras, cultures, and worldviews. Featuring contemporary works by Ai Weiwei, Berlinde De Bruyckere, and Stephan Vanfleteren, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the challenging and profound questions surrounding compassion.

For more details, visit here.

Berlinde De Bruyckere. Khorós
Bozar, Brussels21/02 - 31/08/2025

In 2025, Bozar will present a major solo exhibition dedicated to the work of Berlinde De Bruyckere (born 1964, Ghent). Central to her haunting work is the exploration of the human condition, drawing inspiration from sources such as Christian iconography, classical mythology, Flemish masters, and ancestral traditions. De Bruyckere's art places these themes in a contemporary context, addressing the violence, human suffering, and beauty in the world, alongside the hope for change.The exhibition will feature dialogues between De Bruyckere's works and those of other artists, both ancient and contemporary, including Nan Goldin, Lucas Cranach, and Patti Smith.

For more information, visit here.

Jules De Bruycker
Museum of Fine Arts (MSK), Ghent22/03 – 29/06/2025

In the spring of 2025, the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent (MSK) is dedicating an exhibition to the work of Jules De Bruycker (1870-1945).

The twirling, expressive and at times phantasmagorical universe of the Ghent artist-observer comes to life through an extensive retrospective of 150 drawings, watercolours, gouaches, oils and prints.

More information: https://www.mskgent.be/en/exhibitions/jules-de-bruycker 

Hans Op de Beeck: Night Journey
Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA)
22/03 – 17/08/2025

At the KMSKA, visual artist Hans Op de Beeck has created an immersive journey through a fictional and mysterious world. His installation evokes a deserted park at night, where various figures, still lifes, objects, animals, architectural structures, and natural elements blend together, creating an enigmatic and disconcerting atmosphere. The experience invites the viewer to step into a dark, otherworldly universe filled with intrigue.

For more information, visit here.

 

International Biennial of Photography
Ostend
06/09 - 16/11/2025

More information to come https://www.fotobiennale.be

 

Eugeen Van Mieghem
Fine Arts Museum - Antwerp (KMSKA)
02/10/2025 – 11/01/2026

In the Autumn,the KMSKA is preparing a retrospective exhibition dedicated to the work of Eugeen Van Mieghem, following an exceptional donation of 226 works from the artist's foundation. Known for his focus on port and urban scenes, Van Mieghem was a 'rabid reporter' who captured the reality of everyday life in early 20th-century Antwerp. Despite remaining on the fringes of the avant-garde, his work poignantly portrays the ordinary people and the dynamic changes of a city in motion.For more information, stay tuned for updates from the museum. More information to come https://www.kmska.be/en/overview/exhibitions

 

Donas, Archipenko & La Section d'Or. Captivating Modernism
Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA)
02/10/2025 – 11/01/2026

Shortly after the First World War, the enigmatic name of Onasky's Tower began appearing in avant-garde magazines, a pseudonym for Marthe Donas, a young artist from Antwerp. Known for her vibrant works that blend painting, collage, cubism, and abstraction, Donas played a pivotal role in the international avant-garde scene. The exhibition highlights her contributions, as well as her collaboration with her partner, the Ukrainian sculptor Alexander Archipenko, and her involvement in the artistic collective La Section d'Or.For more information, visit here.

 

75 years of the Middelheim Museum
Antwerp
The sculpture park celebrates its 75th anniversary

More information to come https://middelheimmuseum.be

 

NEW!

Closer to Memling Experience Bruges

Since December last year, the St Jan Hospital Museum is offering a new immersive experience in its medieval attic: Closer to Memling. This experience invites visitors to step into the world of Hans Memling, exploring the techniques he used to create the illusion of perspective and uncovering the small and big stories hidden in the backgrounds of his works. The exhibition combines Memling's masterpieces with a dynamic play of light and sound, providing a captivating journey through time and offering a closer look at the details of his art.

For more information, visit Closer to Memling and Saint-Jean Hospital Museum.

BRUSK, a new cultural site in the heart of Bruges
Opening in December 2025

BRUSK is part of a major redevelopment project in the heart of Bruges' museum district, covering over 215,000 sqft. At the center of this revitalisation is the new BRUSK building, which will serve as the epicenter. The project also includes the construction of the BRON research centre, featuring a museum library and a dedicated space for the scientific activities of Musea Brugge. The Groeningemuseum and its annex chapel will also be incorporated into the new development, all of which will be part of the Museum Park—a newly designed green public space in Bruges.

For more information, visit here.

Abby Kortrijk, an innovative museum
Kortrijk, opening on 29/03/2025

Abby Kortrijk aims to be a playful and versatile museum of visual art, accessible to all. The project by architects Barozzi Veiga and Tab Architects  has redesigned the historic site of the abbey to make it a timeless and enduring architectural gem. A pavillon in the park, the monumental sixteenth-century chapel and

two state-of-the-art underground exhibition halls form a space for art, encounter and imagination. 

Abby invites us to experience art and the museum concept in a fresh, dynamic way. The program is intentionally participatory and co-creative, encouraging active engagement with the art on display. Instead of a fixed exhibition, Abby intends to surprise visitors with temporary exhibitions and innovative presentations of its collection. Through collaboration and experimentation with the public, Abby will offer a space where art and audience interact in ever-changing, unexpected ways.

Opening exhibition: F**CKLORE, 29/03 – 14/11/2025
More information to come: https://www.abbykortrijk.be/

Renovations :

Antwerp
The Museum Mayer van den Bergh will close its doors for renovation and expansion starting on 23 April 2025. During this period, visitors will still be able to view a selection of the museum's exceptional collection at the nearby Maagdenhuis. The museum is set to reopen in 2029, offering an enhanced experience for its visitors.

For more details: https://museummayervandenbergh.be/fr/verbouwing

Rubens House The opening of the new reception building and the Baroque garden in August 2024 will mark the completion of the first phase of the conversion work at the Rubenshuis. The second phase of the master plan involves the renovation of the artist's house, which is currently closed. The house is expected to re-open no earlier than 2030.

For more information, visit: https://pers.rubenshuis.be/triple-inauguration-au-rubenshuis-rubens-experience-jardin-et-bibliotheque

Ghent
The Design Museum Gent is set to reopen in 2026 after the construction of a new wing. This new infrastructure will connect the three existing buildings and will include spaces for a reception area, a shop, and temporary exhibitions, among other functions.

For more information, visit: https://museummayervandenbergh.be/en/verbouwing

Ostend
Mu.ZEE has closed for a significant three-year renovation starting from 6 January. The museum will be undergoing extensive updates and improvements during this time.

For more information, visit: https://www.muzee.be/en

*Please note that descriptions and dates provided in this listing are subject to change although we will endeavour to review any changes, should they occur, as close as possible to the event.

Media Contact: 

Jillian Sliwinski 

jillian.sliwinski@visitflanders.com 

929-536-2600