Paris museum to host major exhibition of Belgian art from 1900

The Koninklijke Musea voor Schone Kunsten van België will organize a large exhibition titled Bruxelles 1900 at the Petit Palais in Paris.

The show focuses on Belgian art created around the turn of the 20th century, featuring works by artists such as Leon Spilliaert and Jean Brusselmans. Curator Davy Depelchin stated that the exhibition aims to showcase the diversity of art produced in Brussels by both Belgian and foreign artists.

The exhibition serves as a modern follow-up to the success of the Belgian section at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris. While some artists like Ensor have gained international fame, the curators seek to highlight less recognized figures like Emile Claus and Théo Van Rysselberghe. The collection will include paintings, sculptures, furniture, and jewelry, spanning styles from neo-impressionism to art nouveau.

The curators plan to highlight the role of women in the arts, specifically focusing on applied arts like bookbinding and embroidery. The exhibition also addresses social themes, including the colonial regime of Leopold II and the social tensions of the era. Contemporary artist Michiko Van de Velde noted that the period's focus on nature and quiet moments offers a necessary sense of pause in today's turbulent world.