Visit KMSKA, Antwerp Museum of Fine Arts

A visit to the KMSKA means discovering seven centuries of art. Above all, it's a chance to discover the Flemish Primitives and the Expressionists. It has an exceptional collection of paintings by the masters James Ensor and Rik Wouters, the largest in the world. But the KMSKA is also the only Flemish museum to have been granted scientific status! In fact, the curators don't just exhibit and look after the works. No, they carry out in-depth research into the works to unravel their secrets and mysteries. Colours, visual language, everything is studied with a magnifying glass to decode the most beautiful paintings. It's a veritable museum laboratory, as they share their discoveries with the public. And don't miss the front of the building, a work of art in its own right, a veritable architectural jewel with an imposing presence.

The museum had to close its doors and after 11 years of renovation, it is once again open to the public. They also took the opportunity to restore no fewer than 200 works. As the museum was getting on in years, they decided to completely rethink the layout. As a result, the KMSKA has been split into two parts. On one side, the old, which houses works dating from before 1880, and on the other, the new, which houses works dating from after 1880. The museum chose the year 1880 because it coincides with the debut of the artist James Ensor, the great Flemish master from Ostend whose collection is the largest in the world. As well as being a research centre, it is also a breeding ground for new artists, thanks to its artists in residence who train at the heart of the Beaux-Arts!

The museum is something of an ode to Flemish art, with so many works by Flemish Masters. But it also boasts a fine international collection of works by artists such as Chagall, Rodin and Modigliani. The museum's aim is to offer a high-quality experience, without being confined to the old. Indeed, the KMSKA's major innovation during its renovation was to expand the premises to accommodate larger collections. They decided to devote a wing of the museum to modern art. Art after 1880 was much more repressive, conceptual and abstract. After this period, artists went in search of the very soul of what they sought to represent. They turned their backs on what the great Flemish masters knew. In other words, art directed towards the gods, kings and nobles. Post-1880 art emancipated itself from religion. This is why the museum was determined to separate these two periods of art. The new artists gave free rein to their souls and feelings to create. They were no longer guided by commissions from popes, kings and other religious figures. They created for private display or for the upper middle classes.

James Ensor plays a special role for the Antwerp Museum of Fine Arts. His collection is situated at the crossroads of art before and after 1880. Thanks to the KMSKA's majestic collection, we can observe the evolution of art through the artist. His work evolved over the years. From experimental to daring, the artist deserves his collection, which is on magnificent display in the museum. Before the renovation, the museum was considered a little old-fashioned, exhibiting only classical works. Yet only 20% of his works predate 1880. Since its reopening in 2022, this is an opportunity to discover the breadth of this collection.

The KMSKA has been resolutely modern since its reopening. To mark the occasion, they even organised an online competition, "l'expo nationale", in which anyone could submit their original work (drawing, painting, ceramic, tattoo, etc.) to a panel of experts, who chose 100 works to be exhibited from all those submitted by the public. Innovative. What's more, to appeal to young and old alike, the museum is also offering "The 10" interactive tours, set up by an opera director who has come up with 10 strange new works scattered around the museum. A fun way for the whole family to discover the museum!