Overview:

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium is an important cultural institution in the city and one of the most renowned museums in the country. Founded by King Leopold II in 1884, the museum is home to a collection of more than 30,000 works of art, spanning several centuries. Visitors can explore an extensive array of world-class European art from the 15th to the 20th century, including masterpieces by masters such as Rubens, Van Dyck, Jordaens and Ensor. In addition to its fine art collection, the museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting Flemish culture, hosting large-scale retrospectives of local painters as well as special exhibitions showcasing Flemish design, jewelry, photography and fashion. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Belgium
Prominent Features:

1. Masterpiece Display: The Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp boasts a substantial number of masterpieces of pre-20th century art, including noteworthy works by Peter Paul Reubens, Anthony van Dyck, and Jan Brueghel the Elder. 2. Hall of Alchemists: This permanent exhibition houses some of the best-known alchemists in the world, such as Cornelis Drebbel, Jan Baptista van Helmont, and Paracelsus. 3. Temporary Exhibitions: The museum regularly hosts exhibitions featuring works of Belgian and international artists. Recent exhibitions have included works by Frederick Will, Robert Motherwell, and Yves Klein. 4. Decorative Art Collection: The museum also houses a permanent collection of decorative arts, including a vast selection of glass, furniture, tapestries, and silverwork. 5. Miniature Masterpieces: Visitors can view works by 17th-century Flemish artists in the form of miniaturized tapestries, an art form particularly popular in Belgium during that period. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belgium.

History:

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMMA) was founded in 1817 with the collection of the art works of the former Antwerp Academy. The museum was officially inaugurated in its current form in 1894, after it was moved from the former Antwerp city hall to a building on the Royal Palace of Baron Louis van Thienen. The museum was founded to offer an educational platform to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp and was supported by an important group of patrons. During the 19th century, the KMMA collection was continually increased and the building was extended to accommodate it. It also re-opened its interior spaces to the public in the 1860s. The holdings of the museum focus on Dutch and Flemish art from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, as well as works from more recent times. It has a wide variety of collections, such as sculpture, prints, drawings, photographs, weapons, paintings, and books. The KMMA also has a rich collection of old master paintings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, including those of Rubens and his followers. Since its opening, the KMMA has been continually growing its collections. It received the prestigious Belgian State Award for Cultural Heritage in 2019 and is now considered one of the foremost collections of its kind in Europe. The museum is currently undergoing a major refurbishment project in order to update the space and modernise the current facilities. It plans to reopen to the public in 2021. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belgium with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp, was established in 1810, making it one of the oldest art museums in the world. 2. The museum houses a large collection of works from the 16th and 17th centuries, including fine altarpieces, portraits, landscapes, and historical paintings. 3. The museum also has an extensive collection of contemporary and modern art featuring works from Flemish and Belgian masters such as Jan van Eyck, Peter Paul Rubens, and Anthony van Dyck. 4. The museum is home to the largest number of Rubens paintings in the world. 5. The museum also houses an impressive architectural library which houses over 18,000 volumes, including rare books from the 16th century. 6. The museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions, symposiums, and lectures. 7. The museum is home to the largest collection of Baroque musical instruments in Europe. 8. Its exhibits include a scale model of Antwerp’s Old Town from the 16th century. One of the historical monuments of Belgium, it tells the story of a bygone era