Koninklijke Musea voor Schone Kunsten van België - Brussel

A new room dedicated to art on paper. In a dynamic of rotating presentations of artworks, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium continue to add newly arranged rooms to their parcours. From 21st of May, the Spilliaert room will welcome you into the poetic and mysterious world of the Belgian painter, illustrator and draughtsman. In this part of the museum, new displays of modern works on paper (19th century – today) are regularly shown. The artwork of Léon Spilliaert (Ostend 1881 - Brussels 1946), produced almost exclusively on paper, has a prominent place in the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. Most of it was acquired directly from the artist and his family. As a mark of recognition, this room which is dedicated to modern works on paper, is named after him. His work will be in dialogue with that of other artists in the collections. This dialogue will begin with a #Focus1 on the BePaper research project. This will provide an initial overview and study of works on paper. In the interwar-period, art was constantly reinventing itself in Belgium: expressionism, constructivism, surrealism... Works on paper, once simple sketches, became creations in their own right. Affordable and versatile, this medium encouraged unprecedented artistic freedom, between figuration and abstraction. Last but not least, the Rousseau Album also takes its place in this new room. Compiled in 1883 by Mariette Rousseau, the Rousseau Album brings together drawings and letters illustrated by James Ensor. A unique testimony to a friendship and an era, it has now been given a new lease of life thanks to a meticulous restoration by KBR and the RMFAB.

A new room dedicated to art on paper. In a dynamic of rotating presentations of artworks, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium continue to add newly arranged rooms to their parcours. From 21st of May, the Spilliaert room will welcome you into the poetic and mysterious world of the Belgian painter, illustrator and draughtsman. In this part of the museum, new displays of modern works on paper (19th century – today) are regularly shown. The artwork of Léon Spilliaert (Ostend 1881 - Brussels 1946), produced almost exclusively on paper, has a prominent place in the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. Most of it was acquired directly from the artist and his family. As a mark of recognition, this room which is dedicated to modern works on paper, is named after him. His work will be in dialogue with that of other artists in the collections. This dialogue will begin with a #Focus1 on the BePaper research project. This will provide an initial overview and study of works on paper. In the interwar-period, art was constantly reinventing itself in Belgium: expressionism, constructivism, surrealism... Works on paper, once simple sketches, became creations in their own right. Affordable and versatile, this medium encouraged unprecedented artistic freedom, between figuration and abstraction. Last but not least, the Rousseau Album also takes its place in this new room. Compiled in 1883 by Mariette Rousseau, the Rousseau Album brings together drawings and letters illustrated by James Ensor. A unique testimony to a friendship and an era, it has now been given a new lease of life thanks to a meticulous restoration by KBR and the RMFAB.

A new room dedicated to art on paper. From 21st of May, the Spilliaert room will welcome you into the poetic and mysterious world of the Belgian painter, illustrator and draughtsman. In this part of the museum, new displays of modern works on paper (19th century – today) are regularly shown. The artwork of Léon Spilliaert (Ostend 1881 - Brussels 1946), produced almost exclusively on paper, has a prominent place in the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. Most of it was acquired directly from the artist and his family. As a mark of recognition, this room which is dedicated to modern works on paper, is named after him. His work will be in dialogue with that of other artists in the collections. This dialogue will begin with a #Focus1 on the BePaper research project. This will provide an initial overview and study of works on paper. In the interwar-period, art was constantly reinventing itself in Belgium: expressionism, constructivism, surrealism... Works on paper, once simple sketches, became creations in their own right. Affordable and versatile, this medium encouraged unprecedented artistic freedom, between figuration and abstraction. Last but not least, the Rousseau Album also takes its place in this new room. Compiled in 1883 by Mariette Rousseau, the Rousseau Album brings together drawings and letters illustrated by James Ensor. A unique testimony to a friendship and an era, it has now been given a new lease of life thanks to a meticulous restoration by KBR and the RMFAB.

Fans of modern and contemporary art can now discover some of the Museums’ latest acquisitions, offering a fresh perspective on the works joining the collections. A great opportunity to explore these treasures while gaining insight into the RMFAB's acquisition policy! Several key directions emerge from this policy, often closely interconnected. The first aims to strengthen the presence of women artists, who remain underrepresented despite having played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary art from its earliest days. Similarly, another focus is to increase the visibility of non-European artists, as today’s art history is more than ever being written from a global perspective. A world marked by tensions, uncertainties, and pressing questions — societal issues also influence our choices. Finally, this display is an opportunity to express our gratitude to the patrons and artists who have helped enrich our collection, particularly in areas such as video art.