The permanent collections

Changes in the permanent collections

The Museum of Ixelles invites you to walk the path of Belgian art, through a selection of masterpieces from the collections.

Consisting of more than 10,000 works from the 17^th to the 20^th century, the Museum of Ixelles’ collections are particularly rich in works of Belgian art of the 19^th, 20^th and 21^st centuries: a period that corresponds to the history of Belgian modern art. We are pleased to present, in recently renovated galleries, a new exhibition centred on Belgian art.

The exhibition examines the issue of the relationship with reality, a key concern in Belgian art that gave rise to extremely diverse responses from social realism to the fantastic, through various forms of expressionism or humour. Organized by theme in order to highlight the constants and specifics of the art history, the visitor will discover major movements from realism to abstraction to contemporary art, through impressionism, neo-impressionism, symbolism, fauvism, expressionism and surrealism.

New! Multimedia Audioguide

The Museum of Ixelles helps you in discovering its permanent collections with a Multimedia Guide that provides extracts on about thirty works of art with contextual imagery. For those of you who are in a hurry, try our Ten Masterpieces tour, a thirty minutes overview of the collections. Available in French, Dutch and English for 3€ at the bookshop.

Free download of the app for iOS and Android devices from May 18, 2016.

The collections of the Museum of Ixelles

Ancien art - 16^th to 18^th centuries

The collection of ancient art consists mainly of works by artists from Northern Europe and Italian masters. Landscapes, still life and portraits are the main themes. The sumptuous portraits offer an insight into the life of their subjects. Tables laden with food and hunting trophies evoke memories of yesteryear. From Dürer’s La Cigogne (The Stork) to la Vue du Meir (View of the Meir) by Erasmus de Bie, the rich history of our region suddenly appears.

Posters

This is one of the most iconic collections of the Museum and includes the entire production of lithographic works by Toulouse-Lautrec. Some 700 posters by Belgian and European artists, from the Belle Époque to the 1950s, show advertising in its early form touting travel and Parisian cabarets. This is no less an art in itself. With their bright colours, original compositions and Art Nouveau women, these posters have revolutionized graphic art.

19^th century

Nineteenth century Belgian art occupies a prominent place in the collections of the Museum of Ixelles. From Realism to Symbolism, through Impressionism, Neo-Impressionism and Orientalism, the collection reveals the riches of this century’s appreciation for both modernism and creative freedom. During your visit you will be captivated by floods of colour, dazzled by bursts of light, astonished by the play on daring imagery, challenged by social questions and bewitched by the enigmatic atmospheres of the opulent Symbolists.

20^th century

The 20^th century is characterized as the century of artistic revolutions and denotes the rise of modernity. The collections of the Museum of Ixelles reveal the turmoil of this very special century in both aesthetic and conceptual studies. Be it investigations or abstract explorations of multiple possibilities, all trends intermingle on the walls of the Museum of Ixelles: Fauvism, Futurism, Constructivism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Pop Art to CoBrA and beyond.

Contemporary art

Since its inception, the Museum of Ixelles has been dedicated to contemporary creation. Alongside the exhibitions regularly devoted to this subject, many acquisitions representative of developments in contemporary art complement the permanent collection. A committee of experts selects current artwork destined to be tomorrow’s valued innovations. A core belief of the Museum of Ixelles is to play an active role in supporting artists and guide visitors through the complex and thriving world of contemporary art.

PLEASE NOTE
The Museum of Ixelles reserves the right to regularly change works from the permanent collections. If you wish to find a specific work or a particular piece during your visit, it is best to consult with museum staff before planning your visit.

 The Museum of the commune of Ixelles has an important collection of masterpieces...

Since 1892, the commune of Ixelles has been proud to present an important collection of art to the public.  Consisting mainly of paintings, sculptures, drawings and also posters and photographs, the collection includes masterpieces that are a testimony to its international reputation. Indeed, many loans are made for exhibitions worldwide and artwork is reproduced in a multitude of publications.
The Museum of Ixelles contains a fine set of Belgian Art from the 19^th and 20^th century as well as some pieces of Ancient Art. With more than 10,000 works, an exhibition area of 2000 m², a library, storage and a high-performance security system, the Museum of Ixelles is the envy of many national museums.

The Museum of Ixelles has been a communal museum since it was first founded and it has remained so while developing professionally. The Museum of Ixelles’ intimate space and the unique character of the galleries make it appealing to the public. The great strength of the communal authorities is that they never wanted to turn it into a local museum, and dedicated it only to artists from the Commune.
 

...and has several projects

The galleries are now brightly redecorated and a new visual identity has been established. The museum has recently purchased a building next to the galleries. After renovation, it will host large educational spaces, a museum shop and a larger cafeteria.

The acquisitions committee

Instigated by the curator, an acquisitions committee consisting of art experts (university professors, curators, art critics) was established in order to promote promising young artists and to fill any gaps in the collection of early 19^th century (neoclassicism and historicism) and sculpture.
The Museum of Ixelles, with the continual support of the Commune, approach the third millennium with enthusiasm and conviction with the desire to preserve and enhance its collections, present to a wider audience and host innovative exhibitions.

    Museum of Ixelles. The Collections
    Silvana editoriale
    192 pages - about 150 colour illustrations - 20 €
    Available in French and Dutch