Antwerp (Brussels Mroning) – The Mayer van den Bergh Museum in Antwerp will be closed for renovation from April 2025 to 2029 with some artworks displayed at the Maagdenhuis during this time.
The Mayer van den Bergh museum in Antwerp will be closed for a big renovation from April 2025 until 2029. During this time some of the collection will be shown at the Maagdenhuis. The corner house next to the museum which used to be the home of art collector Fritz Mayer van den Bergh will be incorporated into the museum in the future.
What Changes Can Visitors Expect During the Mayer van den Bergh Museum’s Renovation and Expansion?
The Mayer van den Bergh Museum is getting renovation. The design plans are all set for the renovation and expansion. The house next to the museum which belonged to Mayer van den Bergh and later served as a district house will be part of the museum. Visitors will start their museum journey there in the future. There will be a courtyard in the museum which wasn’t visible before. The two buildings will be connected at the back by a new construction. According to museum director Carl Depauw it will be a big project in the works for 3 years.
The museum will close to the public on April 22, 2025. The renovation works by AG Vespa will begin in the spring of 2026 with the reopening planned for 2029. During the renovation the museum will be restored to its 1904 state when it first opened. Over 60 works by Mayer van den Bergh considered Flemish masterpieces will be relocated. A temporary exhibition called “Public’s Favorites” will open in the nearby Maagdenhuis in the summer of 2025. It will feature 43 personal stories from the Mayer van den Bergh collection. According to Depauw 43 Antwerp residents will choose a work they want to remain on display ensuring part of the collection remains visible to the locals.
Carl Depauw the head of the Mayer van den Bergh Museum shared that 43 artworks will be displayed in the Maagdenhuis while the museum is under renovation. This museum in Antwerp is famous for its valuable art collection. The Maagdenhuis a historic building will showcase these artworks during the renovation period. This setup allows people to continue enjoying these important pieces even while the museum is being worked on. It’s a way to keep the art accessible and maintain the cultural significance of both the museum and the Maagdenhuis building. This exhibition will give art lovers and the public a chance to appreciate these significant works from the Mayer van den Bergh Museum ensuring that the museum’s cultural impact stays strong during the renovation phase.
Carl Depauw believes ‘Dulle Griet’ by Pieter Bruegel the Elder could be one of the 43 popular works at the Maagdenhuis exhibition. He also mentioned a project with the Musée de Cluny in Paris where some of their artworks are displayed. The museum shares many pieces with other museums in Belgium and worldwide.
