Romanticism in Belgium
March 18 – July 31, 2005


After a far too long hibernation, the time has now come to draw attention to
a rather neglected period of the Belgian history of art, a period usually
described as being that of Romanticism. This exhibition, celebrating
Belgium’s 175th anniversary, is focusing on art which developed itself
during the reign of Leopold I (1831-1865). A fascinating period thus, during
which all kinds of new trends suddenly emerged as seeds shooting up in a
conservatory.  

 

This exhibition will not be held in the temporary exhibitions rooms as
usual, but in the Museum’s building, lying at the Place Royale, which
presently shelters the 19th-century collections. The visitor, after going
through the Forum where Gustaf Wappers’ monumental Episode of the September
Days 1830 is exhibited in its recently restored frame, will solely be able
to gain access to the exhibition rooms through the underground passage
leading to the Museum of Modern Art. The circuit begins with a presentation
of the figure of Leopold I, as founder of the new dynasty. Thereafter, the
exhibition being ideally visited from the third floor downwards, visitors
will alternately see some seething scenes of the Revolution and varied
historical evocations. On the second floor devoted to landscapes, the
visitor will step by step see how the romantic landscape evolved into a
fresh and sharply observed outdoor painting. The visitor will also be able
to escape to Mediterranean regions and daydream facing colourful exotic
fantasies. Further on, typical themes as love, death and even religion, will
render the nostalgia of that epoch.  

 

Fine portraits of the upper classes will call to mind the refinement of
Romanticism, but social problems will nevertheless not be forgotten.
Finally, attention will deservedly be given to the town and town life.    

 

A visit to the second part of the exhibition, at the ING Cultural Center,
just across the Place Royale, should not be missed. This section is
perfectly linked to the previous part and matches perfectly its thematic
structure. Wonderful drawings show the artist’s sensitive and intuitive
approach, from hesitating sketches to the most accomplished works of art.
These unknown because not displayed treasures hold a dialogue with superb
related sculptures.

 

Finally, every lover of Romanticism will want to view the Antoine Wiertz
Museum, which has kept its period atmosphere. A place, unique in Belgium,
that lends itself to meditation and where time has seemingly stood still.

 

The exhibition catalogue begins with a series of interesting essays and
contains 263 entries. 

All the paintings, drawings and sculptures are reproduced in colour and
follow the exhibition’s thematic structure. The book ends with a city map of
Brussels which proposes an historical stroll from one to another of the
city’s most important statues.

 

 

Royal Museums of Fine Arts       ING Cultural Centre
Antoine Wiertz Museum

rue de la Régence, 3                    Place Royale, 6
Rue Vautier, 62

1000 Brussels                             1000 Brussels
1050 Brussels




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Please Find hereby a short text on our exhibition as Well as an Image for

your Website. 



 



Yours sincerely, Inga Rossi-Schrimpf (Scientific Secretary to the

exhibition)



 





  _____  



 



Romanticism in Belgium



 



March 18 – July 31, 2005



 



 



After a far too long hibernation, the time has now come to draw attention to

a rather neglected period of the Belgian history of art, a period usually

described as being that of Romanticism. This exhibition, celebrating

Belgium’s 175th anniversary, is focusing on art which developed itself

during the reign of Leopold I (1831-1865). A fascinating period thus, during

which all kinds of new trends suddenly emerged as seeds shooting up in a

conservatory.  



 



This exhibition will not be held in the temporary exhibitions rooms as

usual, but in the Museum’s building, lying at the Place Royale, which

presently shelters the 19th-century collections. The visitor, after going

through the Forum where Gustaf Wappers’ monumental Episode of the September

Days 1830 is exhibited in its recently restored frame, will solely be able

to gain access to the exhibition rooms through the underground passage

leading to the Museum of Modern Art. The circuit begins with a presentation

of the figure of Leopold I, as founder of the new dynasty. Thereafter, the

exhibition being ideally visited from the third floor downwards, visitors

will alternately see some seething scenes of the Revolution and varied

historical evocations. On the second floor devoted to landscapes, the

visitor will step by step see how the romantic landscape evolved into a

fresh and sharply observed outdoor painting. The visitor will also be able

to escape to Mediterranean regions and daydream facing colourful exotic

fantasies. Further on, typical themes as love, death and even religion, will

render the nostalgia of that epoch.  



 



Fine portraits of the upper classes will call to mind the refinement of

Romanticism, but social problems will nevertheless not be forgotten.

Finally, attention will deservedly be given to the town and town life.    



 



A visit to the second part of the exhibition, at the ING Cultural Center,

just across the Place Royale, should not be missed. This section is

perfectly linked to the previous part and matches perfectly its thematic

structure. Wonderful drawings show the artist’s sensitive and intuitive

approach, from hesitating sketches to the most accomplished works of art.

These unknown because not displayed treasures hold a dialogue with superb

related sculptures.



 



Finally, every lover of Romanticism will want to view the Antoine Wiertz

Museum, which has kept its period atmosphere. A place, unique in Belgium,

that lends itself to meditation and where time has seemingly stood still.



 



The exhibition catalogue begins with a series of interesting essays and

contains 263 entries. 



All the paintings, drawings and sculptures are reproduced in colour and

follow the exhibition’s thematic structure. The book ends with a city map of

Brussels which proposes an historical stroll from one to another of the

city’s most important statues.



 



 



Royal Museums of Fine Arts       ING Cultural Centre

Antoine Wiertz Museum



rue de la Régence, 3                    Place Royale, 6

Rue Vautier, 62



1000 Brussels                             1000 Brussels

1050 Brussels