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Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

 Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts Main Hall


Brussels Belgium· Christian Art & Architecture· museums & galleries // Belgium

To appreciate the contrast all these changes made one must have known Brussels in the days before the war. It was not only the gayest but the happiest of cities. In the population there was a fine joviality, that joyousness that came down from the days when Rubens and Jordaens and Teniers were painting ‘la view plantureuse’ (abundant life) of Flanders. [Washington Post, 1918]1

The Belgians take their art seriously. And for good reason. “Italian painters” and “Dutch painters” might roll off the tongue more naturally, but for a long time the Flemish were the pinnacle of the art world. The Belgians, along with the Dutch, turned Flanders into a major draw for aspiring artists from all over Europe. And the booming sea trade through the ports of Antwerp, Bruges, and Amsterdam created wealthy benefactors, in turn creating a market for art.

Some of that art is now on display in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels.

Belgian has found itself in the middle of a good many European wars over the centuries, but they thankfully hid the art well, keeping it safe from the sticky fingers of invading armies.2

There are over 20,000 pieces of art in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. The oldest date back to the early 15th century. But it’s the collection of Flemish Baroque painting that it’s particularly proud of. Their paintings have beautifully rich yet surprisingly subtle colors that almost seem to glow.

The museum’s highlights include rich collections of the 17th-century Antwerp school of Flemish Baroque, with works by Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and Jacob Jordaens. The large Rubens room, with its red walls, space, and massive Rubens paintings, is especially impressive.

But it’s not just the artworks hanging on the walls and standing on pedestals that are impressive. The building itself is a work of architectural art. It was designed by Belgian architect Alphone Balat and bankrolled by King Leopold II. It was originally designed to be the Palais des Beaux-Arts and finished in 1887. Its beautifully opulent main hall, with the light pouring in through its massive skylight ceiling, is particularly striking. And, fittingly, occupying pride of place in the center of the hall is a sculpture of King Leopold II himself, the museum’s original benefactor greeting every visitor.

Photos of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts Three Peter Paul Rubens Paintings

Paintings by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) have their own dedicated room.

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts Main Hall

The main hall.

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts Jan Van Dornicke

A 16th-century triptych titled Triptyque de L’Abbaye de Dielegem possibly by artist Jan Van Dornicke.

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts Ludovicus Willemsens Sculpture L'Abondance

A 17th century sculpture by Ludovicus Willemsens (1630-1702) titled L’Abondance.

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts Bonifazio de' Pitati

Paintings by Bonifazio de’ Pitati (Bonifazio Veronese) (1487-1553).

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts King Leopold I Statue in Main Hall

A statue of King Leopold I dated to around 1853 by Guillaume Geefs.

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts Peter Paul Rubens Exhibit

Paintings by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640).

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts Dirk Bouts

Two paintings by Dirk Bouts (1410-1475) titled Panneaux de La Justice de L’Empereur Otton.

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts Exhibit Room

Musees royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique Main Hall in Brussels

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts Quinten Metsys Painting

An early 16th century triptych by Quinten Metsys (165/66-1530) titled Triptyque de la Confrerie de Sainte-Anne A Louvain (dated 1509).

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts

A sculpted fountain by Gabriel Grupello (1644-1730) titled Fontaine Murale aux Dieux Marins (1675/76).

Brussels Royal Museums of Fine Arts Statue and Hall

Field Notes

The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium is just a stone’s through from the Royal Palace, and adjacent to the Magritte Museum. It’s also close to the Musical Instruments Museum.

You can find visitor information here.


  1. Brand Whitlock, “When ‘Gay Brussels’ Became the World’s Saddest City: How the Brave Inhabitants of Belgium’s Capital Defied the Germans, Closed the Shutters on Their Homes, Deserted the Theaters, Prohibited Evening Dress and Made Vows to Wear Black Until the End of the War,” Washington Post, 25 August 1918, SMT4. ↩
  2. Walter Duranty, “Bruges Intact; Art Work Saved,” New York Times, 23 October 1918. ↩


Travel Advice for Belgium

You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Belgium (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.

The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Belgium here and the Australian Government's here.

Health & Vaccinations

The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Belgium here.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Cathedral of Saints Michael & Gudula
The Musical Instrument Museum of Brussels

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

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Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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