Belgian Art, A modern century: Musée D'Ixelles
© Musée d'Ixelles, 2012
Installation view
The exhibition is often considered a turning point in the public visibility of the Verbaet collection, marking its emergence as an important reference point for the study and appreciation of Belgian modernism.
The exhibition “Belgian Art: A Modern Century” was held at the Museum of Ixelles in Brussels from 11 October 2012 to 20 January 2013. It presented a major selection of works from the private collection of Maurice Verbaet, bringing together paintings, sculptures, and works on paper that offered a broad overview of Belgian art from the late 19th to the 20th century .
Rather than following a strictly chronological narrative, the exhibition was conceived around visual dialogues and unexpected juxtapositions between artists and movements. Curated by Michel Draguet, it explored the idea of “modernity” in Belgian art through bold confrontations and fresh perspectives, highlighting both well-known figures—such as Ensor, Magritte, Permeke, and Alechinsky—and more abstract or experimental practices.
A key aspect of the exhibition was its emphasis on the collector’s eye: the Verbaet collection was presented as a coherent, almost curatorial work in itself. By bringing together diverse artistic positions, the show offered a non-conformist and richly layered reading of Belgian modern art, revealing connections across generations and styles.
