Art & History Museum in Brussels Unveils Landmark Decorative Arts Galleries Celebrating Belgium’s Design Legacy

Brussels, The Gulf Observer: Belgium’s decorative arts take center stage in a major transformation at the Art & History Museum in Brussels, where two newly opened galleries have been unveiled in the heart of Cinquantenaire Park. Representing the museum’s most significant redesign in over two decades, the galleries offer an immersive journey through nearly 130 years of Belgian design history—from the origins of Art Nouveau to the glamour of Art Deco, and the eclectic opulence of the 19th century.

Opened in anticipation of a royal visit by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde on June 10 and welcoming the public from June 13, the revitalized spaces span approximately 1,200 square meters and feature some 700 rarely seen objects. These range from monumental furniture and fine textiles to decorative glass, porcelain, and even architectural reconstructions—many of which had been stored away for decades.

The initiative began as an exhibition dedicated to Art Nouveau but evolved into a broader narrative encompassing the interwar Art Deco period and Belgium’s 19th-century decorative arts. Curated by Werner Adriaenssens and Sophie Balace, the project reflects Belgium’s pivotal influence in shaping European design and celebrates the country’s industrial, social, and artistic developments from its independence in 1830 to the mid-20th century.

An Ode to Art Nouveau and Art Deco

The first gallery spotlights Belgium’s most iconic design movement—Art Nouveau—alongside its stylistic successor, Art Deco. The narrative centers on influential figures such as Victor Horta, Paul Hankar, and Henry van de Velde, whose innovative approaches revolutionized form, function, and aesthetics.

Among the exhibition’s crowning achievements is the meticulous reconstruction of Horta’s long-lost Winter Garden, a nine-by-four-meter architectural gem originally built in 1900 and demolished during Brussels’ mid-century urban transformations. Saved in fragments and now painstakingly restored with the expertise of Horta-specialist Barbara Van Der Wee, the Winter Garden boasts a soaring glass ceiling, bronze columns, and gilded detail, all designed to reflect the Gesamtkunstwerk ideal—a “total work of art” uniting architecture and decor.

Surrounding the reconstruction are iconic works of design, including glass by Val Saint-Lambert, sculptural jewellery by Philippe Wolfers, and furniture from Belgian and international expositions. The section traces the progression from the expressive curves of Art Nouveau to the streamlined, globally influenced geometry of Art Deco, highlighting Belgium’s contributions to international design milestones such as the 1925 Paris Exposition.

Reframing the 19th Century

The second gallery focuses on the decorative arts of the 19th century—a period marked by rapid industrialisation, stylistic eclecticism, and social change. Spanning from Belgian independence through the early 20th century, the exhibition is curated thematically rather than chronologically to illustrate key developments in craftsmanship, domestic life, and design innovation.

Curator Sophie Balace notes the complexity of the era: “The 19th century wasn’t one movement—it was a kaleidoscope of styles and revolutions. This gallery helps make sense of it all.” Highlights include a dramatically oversized clock imitating Boulle style, opulent bathroom installations from the dawn of indoor plumbing, and chairs crafted from industrial papier mâché molds—illustrating both artisanal excellence and the rise of mass production.

The gallery also explores how design mirrored broader societal trends, from Romanticism and Historicism to the onset of modernity. It captures Belgium’s emergence as an industrial powerhouse and a design leader, influenced not only by European traditions but by global aesthetics and colonial material flows.

Legacy Reclaimed

Beyond the objects themselves, the renovated galleries mark a bold reassertion of the Art & History Museum’s decorative arts mission—one that repositions Belgium at the heart of Europe’s design narrative. “This is more than just a display,” says Adriaenssens. “It’s a reclamation of our legacy—of what Belgium gave to the world of design, and how we shaped it in return.”

Supported by major foundations including the King Baudouin Foundation, Baillet-Latour Fund, and TotalEnergies Foundation, the project underscores a renewed institutional commitment to cultural heritage and public engagement.

Visitors can expect not only a visual feast, but a thoughtfully curated experience that blends aesthetics, history, and national identity—bringing Belgium’s design story to life as never before.