Art & History Museum Brussels

06/10/2026

🔎 On the occasion of the temporary exhibition of two large Mosan enamel plaques discovered during excavations at the monastic complex of Pétermonostora (Hungary), the Art & History Museum is organising an international study day on 20 November 2026.

These two 12th-century enamel plaques offer exceptional insight into Mosan metalwork and the exchanges between the Mosan region and Central Europe during the Middle Ages.

The study day will bring together researchers and specialists to discuss new technical and archaeometric findings, as well as the possible links with the Abbey of Saint-Trond. Inscriptions revealed by CT scans may indicate that the abbey was the original intended destination of the work.

📅 20 November 2026 | 9:00–17:00
📍 Art & History Museum
🎟️ €30 | €15 reduced rate | free for students attending as part of a university course
🍽️ Lunch included in the registration fee.

👉 Discover the full programme and register: https://fearly.eu/sGF6DD

🔎 À l’occasion de l’exposition temporaire de deux grandes plaques émaillées mosanes retrouvées lors des fouilles du complexe monastique de Pétermonostora (Hongrie), le Musée Art & Histoire organise une journée d’étude internationale le 20 novembre 2026.

Ces deux plaques émaillées du XIIᵉ siècle offrent un éclairage exceptionnel sur l’orfèvrerie mosane et les échanges entre la région mosane et l’Europe centrale au Moyen Âge.

La journée réunira chercheurs et spécialistes autour de nouvelles données techniques et archéométriques, mais aussi de la question des liens avec l’abbaye de Saint-Trond, que des inscriptions révélées par CT scan pourraient désigner comme destination originelle de l’œuvre.

📅 20 novembre 2026 | 9h00–17h00
📍 Musée Art & Histoire
🎟️ 30 € | 15 € tarif réduit | gratuit pour les étudiants dans le cadre d’un cours universitaire
🍽️ Repas de midi compris dans le prix d’inscription.

👉 Découvrez le programme complet et inscrivez-vous : https://fearly.eu/9MkikJ

25/09/2026

💡 𝗡𝗼𝗴 𝗴𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱?

Willemsfonds Brussels strijkt voor hun jubileumeditie van Museum Matinee deze zondag neer in het Museum Kunst & Geschiedenis!

10 𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗱𝘀𝗴𝗶𝗱𝘀𝗲𝗻 wachten je op in elk een ander stukje van het museum en vertellen je vol overgave over een object, kunstwerk of stukje geschiedenis dat hen persoonlijk fascineert of aansluit bij hun expertise.

Elke gids vertelt gedurende ongeveer 10 minuten een verhaal. De verhalen worden verschillende keren herhaald, zodat je 𝘁𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻 10.00 𝗲𝗻 12.15 𝘂𝘂𝗿 zelf je route door het museum kunt samenstellen en verschillende gidsen kunt bezoeken. Voor amper € 5 (of € 3 voor Willemsfondsleden) geniet je zo van boeiende verhalen én van een drankje achteraf.

Opgelet: dit evenement is 𝐞𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬.

𝗞𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀: Yasmina El Messaoudi, Kristian Vanderwaeren, Toni Coppers, Sven Speybrouck, Lectrr, Luana Difficile, Herman Mennekens & Axel De Backer, Nicholas Van Laerhoven, Kurt Deswert & Dave Sinardet!

𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼 𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 vind je nog snel via link in comment ⬇

24/09/2026

🎉 Today, the permanent galleries of 19th century Decorative Arts, Belgian Art Nouveau and Art Deco at the Art & History Museum won the 𝗕𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱, for a meaningful contribution to Brussels’ international profile! 🥳

The newest galleries showcase an impressive collection of furniture and decorative objects from the 19th century, as well as from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods. Many of these pieces had remained undisclosed from the public for years.

📸 Curator Werner Adriaenssens, expert in Art Deco & Art Nouveau, had the honour of accepting this award. Thank you to our visitors and the jury for voting for this unique project! 👏

ℹ Check our website for more info on these collections!

👏 Vandaag vielen de permanente tentoonstellingszalen over 19de-eeuwse decoratieve kunsten, de Belgische art nouveau en art deco in het Museum Kunst & Geschiedenis in de prijzen en won het project de 𝗕𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱, voor een bijzondere bijdrage aan het internationale imago van Brussel! 🥳

In deze zalen vind je een indrukwekkende collectie meubels en decoratieve voorwerpen uit de 19de eeuw, maar ook uit de stijlperiodes art nouveau en art deco. Veel van deze stukken werden jarenlang niet aan het publiek tentoongesteld.

📸 Curator Werner Adriaenssens, specialist in art deco en art nouveau, had de eer deze prijs in ontvangst te nemen. Hartelijk dank aan onze bezoekers en de jury voor het stemmen voor dit unieke project! 👏

ℹ Meer info over deze collecties op www.artandhistory.museum/nl/sierkunsten-van-de-19de-eeuw-belgische-art-nouveau-en-art-deco!

17/09/2026

📣 Less than one month to go until ‘Inuit: Impressions of the Canadian Far North’ kicks off!

👀 The full programme will be announced in a few days’ time, with Museum Night Fever on 17 October being the first major event to add to your calendar.

✨ The powerful, expressive visual language of the Canadian Inuit artists introduces you to their rich worldview, their eventful life experiences and their unique connection with nature and spirituality. A one-of-a-kind exhibition in Europe! 🇪🇺

ℹ Info & tickets via www.artandhistory.museum/en/activity/inuit-impressions-canadian-far-north

11/09/2026

🐕 À (re)découvrir : le rôle essentiel du chien chez les Inuit

Chez les Inuit, le chien est bien plus qu’un simple compagnon : c’est un véritable partenaire de survie. Dans ce Reel, Anne-Françoise Martin, collaboratrice scientifique pour les collections Amériques aux MRAH, nous explique son rôle essentiel dans les communautés inuites.

🐕 Opnieuw te ontdekken: de belangrijke rol van de hond bij de Inuit

Bij de Inuit is de hond veel meer dan een gezelschapsdier: het is een echte partner om te overleven. In deze Reel vertelt Anne-Françoise Martin, wetenschappelijk medewerker voor de collecties Amerika bij de KMKG, over zijn belangrijke rol in Inuitgemeenschappen.

🐕 Discover again: the essential role of dogs among Inuit communities

For Inuit communities, dogs are much more than companions: they are essential partners for survival. In this Reel, Anne-Françoise Martin, scientific curator for the Americas collections at the RMAH, explains their important role in Inuit communities.

📅 Inuit – Impressions du Grand Nord canadien
16 octobre 2026 → 18 avril 2027

Inuit – Kunst uit het Canadese Hoge Noorden
16 oktober 2026 → 18 april 2027

Inuit – Impressions of the Canadian Far North
16 October 2026 → 18 April 2027

📍 Musée Art & Histoire / Museum Kunst & Geschiedenis / Art & History Museum
Parc du Cinquantenaire / Jubelpark, Bruxelles / Brussel / Brussels

👉 Toutes les infos sur l’exposition : https://fearly.eu/IllUwc
👉 Alle info over de tentoonstelling: https://fearly.eu/udtDgb
👉 Find out more about the exhibition: https://fearly.eu/ZcRXA2

26/08/2026

🐶 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐃𝐚𝐲 🐾
Who doesn’t love dogs? Their unconditional loyalty, silly antics and loving nature are a comforting and joyful presence in people’s lives. Yet, throughout history and different cultures, dogs have also fulfilled other, more serious roles. A frequently recurring theme? Dogs were believed to accompany humans to the underworld after death. 👀

#1: This wooden ‘ointment spoon’ depicts a resting dog. Like most of these ‘spoons’ dating from the 18th Egyptian dynasty (16th-13th century BCE), it was used to offer sacrifices. This object was used in death rituals and does not, in fact, fall into the category of toiletry items, as was previously thought.

#2: In the Far East, the dog is the eleventh of the animals of the zodiac and surrounded by both benevolent and malevolent symbolism. Dogs may act as psychopompos, or guiding souls. In Japan dogs are generally viewed quite favourably: they are seen as faithful companions; their effigies protect children and ease the labour of pregnant women. The sculptor Sanko, very few of whose works have survived, is mentioned in the Sôken kishô, written by Inaba Tsûryû (a professional sword mount maker in Ôsaka) and published in 1787; the seventh volume of this work is the oldest reference on netsuke (miniature sculptures).

#3: What can't be missing on a box of hard porcelain and gold (approx. 1750, Meissen)? Obviously, a depiction of two goofy pugs! Pugs are small, short-haired dogs from China that first arrived in Europe in the 16th century. This posh, precious dog soon became the favourite pet of the great courts of Europe.

#4, 5 & 6: In the art of Colima, Mexico, dogs were the most commonly portrayed animals. For example: a terracotta vase in the shape of a standing dog (300 BCE-400) with its head raised and ears erect. The mouth of the vase? Right on top of the dog’s head. Or look at this chubby little fellow’s cute tail (200 BCE-300), from which you can pour your guests a refreshing drink. Next up: an even more complex Mexican vase sculpture (1300-1500) depicting two dogs. Their mouths are open, revealing large teeth. What would they be grinning or angry about?

#7: Even in the 20th century, dogs & vases were still an excellent combination. Have a look at this jug (1955) by Ann Podolski-Cape, shaped like an upright sitting dog. Its neck is decorated with white petals, and its tail curls up perfectly so that it can serve as an elegant handle.

🔎 Go on a little dog discovery tour at the Art & History Museum, there’s plenty of art pieces on this topic! Which one is your favourite? ✨

16/08/2026

📣 In just a few months, the wait is finally over!
From 16 October 2026, you are warmly invited to the Art & History Museum for a unique temporary exhibition taking you to the Canadian High North. ❄️
👀 Dive into the vibrant world of contemporary Inuit artists and be amazed by their powerful, diverse artistic expression. A rare opportunity to discover this remarkable diversity of Inuit art in Europe!
🤝 The exhibition draws on the collection of Belgian writer and poet Carl Norac, complemented by numerous loans from national and international museums. ✨Expect a wealth of prints, stencil prints, etchings, screen prints, drawings and sculptures, and discover a truly remarkable fusion of techniques and materials.
💡 Encounter powerful artistic voices, with special attention to interpretations by female artists and themes that resonate strongly within Inuit communities today: climate change, forced sedentarisation and the relationship between land, people and animals.

And there’s much more in store! 📅👇
✨ 17 October 2026 – Museum Night Fever
📚 24 October 2026 – Day event in collaboration with Davidsfonds
🎨 2–6 November 2026 – Holiday workshop for children aged 6 to 12
🎤 8 November 2026–11 April 2027 – Lecture series on selected Sundays
👧 15 November 2026 – Arts Day for Children
🌙 19 November 2026–15 April 2027 – Evening openings on selected Thursdays
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 19 December 2026–3 January 2027 – Family activities during the Christmas holidays
🖌️ 8–12 February 2027 – Holiday workshop for children aged 6 to 12

📌 Open to visitors 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 16 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 2026 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 18 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 2027
Save the dates and get ready for a fascinating journey. See you soon!

📣 Binnen amper 2 maanden is het zover!
Vanaf 16 oktober 2026 ben je van harte welkom in het Museum Kunst & Geschiedenis voor een tijdelijke expo die je meeneemt naar het Canadese Hoge Noorden. 🇨🇦
👀 Duik in de hedendaagse kunst van Inuit-kunstenaars en laat je verrassen door hun veelzijdige artistieke expressie. 𝐄𝐞𝐧 𝐳𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐳𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐬 om deze enorme diversiteit aan Inuit-kunst 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐚 te ontdekken!
💡 De expo steunt op de collectie van de Belgische schrijver en dichter 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐜, aangevuld met 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐢𝐣𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐧 uit nationale en internationale musea. Geniet van een weelde aan o.a. prenten, sjabloondruk, etsen, zeefdruk, tekeningen en beeldhouwwerken, en ontdek een werkelijk unieke kruisbestuiving tussen technieken en materialen.
🧐 Ontmoet 𝐤𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧, met bijzondere aandacht voor beklijvende interpretaties door vrouwelijke kunstenaars en thema’s die vandaag sterk leven binnen Inuit-gemeenschap: klimaatverandering, gedwongen sedentarisatie en de relatie tussen land, mens en dier.

En er staat nog veel meer op het programma! 📅👇
✨ 17 oktober 2026 – Museum Night Fever
📚 24 oktober 2026 – Dagevenement i.s.m. Davidsfonds
🎨 2 t.e.m. 6 november 2026 – Vakantieatelier voor kinderen van 6 tot 12 jaar
🎤 8 november 2026 t.e.m. 11 april 2027 – Lezingenreeks op geselecteerde zondagen
👧 15 november 2026 – Kunstendag voor Kinderen
🌙 19 november 2026 t.e.m. 15 april 2027 – Nocturnes op geselecteerde donderdagen
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 19 december 2026 t.e.m. 3 januari 2027 – Familieactiviteiten tijdens de kerstvakantie
🖌️ 8 t.e.m. 12 februari 2027 – Vakantieatelier voor kinderen van 6 tot 12 jaar
En de lijst dikt nog aan!
📌 Te bezoeken 𝐯𝐚𝐧 16 𝐨𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 2026 𝐭𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐭 18 𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 2027
Prik alvast een datum in je agenda en bereid je voor op een boeiende ontdekkingsreis vol kunst, verhalen en ontmoetingen.
Tot dan!

08/08/2026

🐾 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆 🐈

Today, it's all about cats! Throughout history, these magnificent animals have been a constant source of inspiration in the arts across various cultures. Their playfulness, elegance, tenacity, and majestic presence are just a few of the qualities we humans simply cannot get enough of.

The Art & History Museum has plenty of art pieces in which cats take centre stage.

Take a look at these art pieces:
1⃣ The first cat is mummified and adorned with four brown necklaces. The button-shaped eyes were made separately. This Egyptian mummy may have rested in a sarcophagus or a vase and dates from the Greco-Roman period.

2⃣ The second cat dates from the Late Period (7th–4th centuries BC). Cat mummies were often placed in wooden or bronze sarcophagi. They were slipped inside through an opening in the base of the sarcophagus, which was carved in the shape of a living cat! Unfortunately, neither of these two is currently on display, as these galleries are undergoing renovation.

3⃣ Fluffypants McNibbles #3 is on display in the museum and sits atop a precious porcelain box made around 1740–1745 in Meissen.

4⃣ Chief Chonk #4 also dates from the 18th century, though from Saint-Cloud, and is likewise made of porcelain. In popular belief, the cat was long associated with witchcraft and vermin. However, following the introduction to Europe of breeds such as the Angora cat and, later, the Siamese, the cat became a much-loved pet.

🙀 Can you spot all the cats and felines in the museum? Cats also appear in all their guises in our collections on America, Japan, China, 20th-century decorative arts and many others!

30/07/2026

Discover a brand new exhibition on Inuit art at the Art & History Museum Brussels from 16 October onwards! 🇨🇦 🇧🇪
☑️One of its kind in Europe
☑️Unique & vibrant voices of Inuit artists from the Canadian Far North
☑️Workshops, lectures, evening openings, family activities

✨Check the museum website & get your tickets!

17/07/2026

🇧🇪 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 21 𝗮𝗻𝗱 22 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 2026
To celebrate the Belgian National Day, the Art & History Museum will be closed to the public on 21 and 22 July 2026.
❗ The Mimbrussels and the Porte de Hal Hallepoort Halle Gate on the other hand will be open to the public with 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 on 21 July!

🎷 Happy Belgian National Day! 🎷

🇧🇪 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦 𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐩 21 𝐞𝐧 22 𝐣𝐮𝐥𝐢 2026
Ter gelegenheid van de Belgische Nationale Feestdag zal het Museum Kunst & Geschiedenis gesloten zijn voor het publiek op 21 en 22 juli 2026.

❗ 𝐓𝐢𝐩: het Mimbrussels en de Porte de Hal Hallepoort Halle Gate zijn op 21 juli wél open en zelfs 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐒 te bezoeken!

🎷Fijne Nationale Feestdag!🎷