Brussels is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of Europe’s must-see destinations. Apart from Belgium’s world-famously delicious chocolate; the wickedly humorous figure of Manneken Pis; the UNESCO World Heritage Site Grand Place and the one-of-a-kind 102-meters-tall Atomium, Brussels also offers over 30 museums with something for every taste, age and preference.
If you appreciate modern art and are looking for a wonderful experience, do not miss out the impressive René Magritte Museum – an intimate memory to Belgium’s most influential artist of the 20th century. Painter, engraver, craftsman, sculptor, photographer and film-maker, René Magritte counts among the eminent artists of the surrealist movement.
Located in the heart of Brussels at the Place Royale, the museum is housed in the neo-classical landmark Altenloh Hotel, superbly restored on 1984, which Magritte and his wife rented between 1930 and 1954, and operates as part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
The museum not only showcases an exclusive collection of the Surrealist master’s paintings, but also unveils the personal life of the man behind it all. There are over 30 drawings and paintings by the artist, as well as more than 400 original documents retracing his artistic evolution from surrealistic magazines to advertising campaigns that he worked on. Visitors will also find an audio guide, which includes recordings of the artist, his wife, his friends and colleagues. The museum has also developed an online research center that provides access to archieves about the painter’s life and works.
The museum has a permanent exhibition, which is spread on two-floors. The works on display, among which his most important masterpieces, are mainly from the legacies of Irène Scutenaire-Hamoir and Georgette Magritte and from purchases made by the Royal Museums for Fine Arts of Belgium, completed with works on loan from private persons.
Besides the rare items as an original painting of his youth, the original manuscript ‘Book of Thoughts,’ the advertising works and letters to his clients, the museum displays continuously other masterpieces, like Les Amants, Le Témoin (1939) and, Lola de Valence (1948), La Lampe d’Aladin (1954) or, Olympia (1947), and others.
The museum is open every week from Wednesday to Sunday between 10:00am and 6:00pm. Guests can also take advantage of guided tours. An entrance ticket to the museum includes a short explanation of 15 min about Magritte’s life in this house.
‘I can stay at home as the world offers me ideas’
René Magritte
