In the eastern part of Ghent`s Citadel Park, in a monumental white stone building, lies the Museum of Fine Arts Ghent (MSK – Museum voor Schone Kunsten) – the oldest museum in Belgium and one of the oldest public museums in Europe. Here, in spacious, light-filled halls, an impressive collection of nearly 10,000 works of art is preserved – from medieval altarpieces to surrealist canvases by René Magritte.
MSK is not just a museum; it is a place where the history of European art is presented in its full scope. Across 40 halls, a chronological exhibition unfolds, spanning more than 600 years: from Gothic painting through the Renaissance, Caravaggism, and Baroque to Rococo, Neoclassicism, Flemish Impressionism, Symbolism, Expressionism, and Surrealism.
History of the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK)
Founding in Turbulent Years (1798)
The history of MSK began at the end of the 18th century, when Ghent came under the rule of revolutionary France. The French occupation authorities, following their practice, confiscated many of the city`s artistic treasures and shipped them to Paris – some of these works are still housed in the Louvre.
Outraged citizens decided to compensate for the loss. In 1798, a decision was made to establish their own public museum. Initially, the collection was housed in Saint Peter`s Church, opening to the public on November 22, 1802, and then, from 1805, in the Academy of Fine Arts, where it remained for a hundred years.
From the Museum`s Birth to Its Own Building
In 1818, of all the treasures seized by the French, only sixty paintings returned to Ghent. Despite the losses, the city continued to expand its collection. By 1820, the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts had grown so much that a separate building was required. Architect Tilman François Suys developed the first design, but its implementation was delayed for decades.
An Architectural Masterpiece by Charles van Rysselberghe
Finally, in 1898, the city authorities entrusted the project to architect Charles van Rysselberghe, brother of the renowned artist Théo van Rysselberghe. His Neoclassical building, constructed between 1900 and 1904, became one of the first structures in Belgium specifically designed as a museum. The architect anticipated everything: spacious, naturally lit halls, convenient navigation, and a majestic facade that still impresses visitors. For the 1913 World`s Fair, the museum was expanded: a U-shaped wing and two semicircular galleries were added.
MSK and SMAK: The Separation of Museums
For a long time, MSK was home not only to classical but also to contemporary art. In 1975, curator Jan Hoet founded a contemporary art department within MSK, which grew over time. In 1999, the contemporary art collection moved to a separate building across the street, receiving the name Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art (SMAK) . Since then, MSK has focused on art from the Middle Ages to the mid-20th century, while SMAK took charge of the contemporary era.
Architecture of the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK)
The MSK building itself is a work of art. Charles van Rysselberghe designed it with all the requirements of museum practice of his time in mind:
• Natural lighting. Each hall has access to daylight, which is ideal for viewing paintings.
• Spacious enfilades. The rooms are arranged in an enfilade, creating a smooth flow and a sense of spaciousness.
• Monumental facade. The museum entrance is designed in a Neoclassical style with columns and sculptural elements, giving the building a majestic appearance.
• The museum building is seamlessly integrated into the landscape of Citadel Park – Ghent`s largest park, making the walk to the museum particularly pleasant.
Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK): From Bosch to Magritte
The MSK collection comprises approximately 20,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, as well as rare books and archival materials. Several hundred works are on display in the permanent exhibition, while the rest are kept in storage and periodically featured in temporary exhibitions.
The Chronological Route
The exhibition is organized chronologically, allowing visitors to trace the development of Western European art step by step:
• Middle Ages – religious painting, altarpieces, wooden sculpture.
• Renaissance and Mannerism – works by Flemish and Italian masters.
• Baroque – works by Rubens, van Dyck, and their contemporaries.
• Rococo and Neoclassicism – elegant portraits and historical canvases.
• 19th Century – Romanticism, Realism, Flemish Impressionism.
• Symbolism and Expressionism – James Ensor, Gustave van de Woestyne.
• Surrealism – René Magritte, Paul Delvaux.
Thematic Galleries of the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK)
In addition to the chronological exhibition, thematic galleries have been created within the museum, inviting deeper reflection. Here you can see:
• How the depiction of women in art changed over 250 years.
• The juxtaposition of wealth and poverty in painting across different eras.
• The relationship between city and countryside as perceived by artists.
• Portraits as a means of immortalizing oneself and one`s loved ones.
Masterpieces of the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) Not to Be Missed
1. "Saint Jerome at Prayer" – Hieronymus Bosch
One of the few works indisputably attributed to Bosch. The painting depicts Saint Jerome, who retreated to the desert in search of solitude. In 2016, the painting underwent a meticulous restoration, revealing its remarkable original colors and details.
2. "The Carrying of the Cross" – Hieronymus Bosch (or His Follower)
Not all experts are certain that this painting was executed by Bosch himself, but this does not diminish its artistic value. At first glance, it is a chaotic jumble of sinister faces, but at the center of the composition is the serene face of Christ. The diabolical countenances around Him symbolize the struggle between good and evil. Christ`s endless suffering is contrasted with His tranquil expression – a promise that good will triumph.
3. "Jupiter and Antiope" – Anthony van Dyck
When the museum acquired this painting in 1900, some board members found it too revealing for female eyes. Van Dyck demonstrates his virtuosic skill here: Jupiter, king of the gods, accompanied by his symbol – an eagle – peers at the sleeping Antiope.
4. "The Outdoor Wedding Dance" – Pieter Brueghel the Younger
This painting transports the viewer to a 16th-century wedding celebration. In the foreground are dancing couples, while in the background sits the bride at a table with a plate onto which guests place money. "Money rules the world" – this proverb was as relevant in Brueghel`s time as it is today. This is most likely a copy of a lost original painted by the artist`s father – Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
5. "Portrait of a Kleptomaniac" – Théodore Géricault
Around 1820, Géricault painted a series of portraits of patients at a Parisian hospital where his physician friend worked. This portrait is one of five that survive. The painting is extraordinarily sensitive in depicting the encounter between two people: the artist and a man suffering from mental illness. This is one of the jewels of the MSK collection.
6. "Family Portrait" – Cornelis de Vos
This portrait is part of the museum`s LGBTQ+ tour, as it prompts reflection on gender stereotypes. Try to guess which figures in the painting are boys and which are girls? In times past, young children were dressed alike for convenience. De Vos, a friend of Rubens, was a master of group portraits and was especially skilled at depicting children – alive, spontaneous, not as miniature adults.
7. "Interior or The Lovers" – Léon de Smet
At first glance, it is a bright, airy room. But look closely: hidden in the dark corner, a couple embraces. The contrast between the light-filled interior and the secret corner creates a dreamy, intimate atmosphere. On the mantelpiece, you can recognize the famous sculpture by George Minne, "The Little Relic Bearer," while on the walls are other works by de Smet himself.
8. "Fugue" – Gustave van de Woestyne
One of the most Expressionist works in the MSK collection. The artist depicts a peasant in his environment: house, church, animals, nature. All elements are stylized and broken down into contrasting color planes. The composition resembles a collage – a bold, almost contemporary solution. This painting has not lost its relevance a century later.
9. "The Spaniard in Paris, or Portrait of the Artist Francisco Iturrino" – Henri Evenepoel
The only painting that the artist sold to the museum during his lifetime. It depicts Evenepoel`s friend – the Spanish artist Francisco Iturrino. The figure in a cloak seems to be striding directly toward the viewer. In the background is the red building of the Moulin Rouge, a symbol of bohemian Paris. The composition is bold and modern.
The Ghent Altarpiece: Restoration in the Public Eye
From 2012 to 2019, a unique restoration of the panels of the Ghent Altarpiece by the van Eyck brothers took place within the walls of MSK. Restorers worked in two museum halls transformed into a workshop, separated from visitors by a glass wall.
Since 2023, the third and final stage of restoration of the altarpiece`s seven upper panels has been underway in the museum. This is a rare opportunity to see specialists restoring a 15th-century masterpiece to its original appearance. Restorers are present in the workshop on weekdays, while on weekends and holidays, the panels are displayed in their open state.
The Exhibition Van Eyck. An Optical Revolution
In 2020, MSK organized the largest exhibition of Jan van Eyck in history – Van Eyck. An Optical Revolution. The exhibition featured more than 15 masterpieces by the artist, including eight fully restored panels of the Ghent Altarpiece. The exhibition attracted the attention of the international press and was awarded the prestigious Apollo Award in the "Exhibition of the Year" category.
Contemporary Art Within Historic Walls
MSK does not confine itself to the past. There is room in the permanent exhibition for contemporary artists who enter into dialogue with the historical collections:
• "Arena" (2017) – a fresco by Belgian artist Luc Tuymans, literally embedded into the museum`s walls.
• "Cigar Box" – a work by Patrick Van Caeckenbergh, a contemporary interpretation of a cabinet of curiosities (Wunderkammer).
• "Written Room" – a work by Parastou Forouhar, inviting reflection on language and identity.
Interesting Facts about the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK)
• The Oldest Museum in Belgium. MSK was founded in 1798 and opened to the public in 1802 – it is the oldest museum in the country.
• The Building as an Exhibit. The museum occupies one of the first buildings in Belgium specifically designed as a museum.
• Gifts from Fernand Scribe. The street where the museum is located is named after the Belgian collector Fernand Scribe, who donated more than 200 works of art to the museum.
• A Collection of 20,000 Exhibits. Only about 10% of them are on display in the permanent exhibition; the rest are stored in the reserves and appear in temporary exhibitions.
• The Largest van Eyck Exhibition. In 2020, MSK organized the largest exhibition of Jan van Eyck in history, which was forced to close after six weeks due to the pandemic.
• The Museum of Fine Arts Ghent is more than just an art gallery. It is a place where the history of European art is presented in its full scope, where old masters stand alongside surrealists, and medieval altarpieces alongside contemporary installations.
Here you will see works by Bosch, Rubens, van Dyck, Géricault, Magritte – names that define the face of world art. Here you will be able to observe the restoration of one of the greatest masterpieces of Western civilization – the Ghent Altarpiece.
