Hi!
Not the best time of the year to visit a city (arty-speaking).
Not interested by Jean Jullien at MIMA.
Alice Gallery is closed (as most galleries)
Anything nice I can see there... I have seen there is a Spilliaert exhibition at Royal Museum, so will def. go there combined with the permanent.
Cheers
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium have an impressive collection.
As you've already alluded to, a €10 adult ticket will grant you access to the
Léon Spilliaert: The early years exhibition, but also to the entirety of both the
Fin‑de‑Siècle Museum* and
Oldmasters Museum*.
They are housed at the same address, 3 rue de la Régence.
My own focus would be on the permanent collection of the Oldmasters Museum. Even as an art enthusiast, I am sometimes lazy, and therefore need to push myself to explore
beyond my comfort zone of works from the late‑19th century to present day.
2. The
Magritte Museum*, next door at 1 Place Royale is a
must‑see as well.
€10 for an adult ticket.
Or, if you have no fear of art fatigue, a €15 same‑day combination ticket offers entry to all three of the above museums.
Make sure to visit the Magritte Museum
gift shop. And if you might be tempted by the purchase of posters, bring with you a wide‑diameter tube (12cm+) to minimise the risk of rolling‑crease damage in transit.
3. Also next door is the quaint yet rather fascinating
Musical Instruments Museum* at 2 Montagne de la Cour.
€15 for an adult ticket.
4. If you like your chocolate shops to resemble high‑end jewellers,
Pierre Marcolini at 1 rue des Minimes is but a five‑minute stroll away.
__________
Sadly, my local (and favourite) watering hole when I last resided in Brussels,
Monk at Place Sainte‑Catherine, recently closed. Its lease wasn't renewed due to planned renovation work by the building owners
*.
In case you're as fond of
James Ensor as I am, you'll have to either:
(a) make a quick train journey to Antwerp for the collection at
KMSKA*; or
(b) return to Brussels next year for
James Ensor. Maestro* at the
BOZAR - Centre for Fine Arts.
Opening next month in September is
Francis Alÿs: The Nature of the Game* at
WIELS in Brussels.
That is a show I am keen to attend.
To anyone unfamiliar with the artist, if you appreciate the sensibilities of
Martin Creed and
Brad Downey, you'll enjoy
Francis Alÿs.
Separately, the WIELS building is a former brewery and a great arts venue. I've been to notable exhibitions there, including for
Tauba Auerbach and
Felix Gonzalez-Torres.
__________
Have a fun trip.
