ART DECO: Roaring Twenties, Crash Years
For this 37th edition, urban.brussels offers a fresh perspective on the artistic movement known as Art Deco, as part of the 2025 Art Deco Year. Discover the capital's rich architectural and museum heritage under the theme “ART DECO: Roaring Twenties, Crash Years.”
The exceptional Art Nouveau and Art Deco collections of the Art & History Museum are the result of both historical and deliberate acquisitions and loans, with artistic quality being paramount. Spectacular but hidden away for many years, these gems are once again presented to the public in a clear and welcoming setting.
Stroll through the gallery at your own pace and (re)discover masterpieces such as Philippe Wolfers' The Swan's Caress or the restored winter garden of the Cousin family by Victor Horta. See how each designer developed their own variations, and how the graceful, sometimes extravagant Art Nouveau style evolved into the cleaner lines of Art Deco and Modernism.
Alternatively, join a guided tour and follow the fascinating story of a young Belgium and its place in the world - from Brussels' beau monde to war, industrialisation, and colonisation.
You can also join a guided tour of the renowned Pavilion of Human Passions. This seemingly simple building by Victor Horta houses a monumental relief by Jef Lambeaux, a masterpiece in Carrara marble in which there is always something new to discover.
Programme
New galleries on Belgian Art Nouveau & Art Deco
- Self-guided tour
- open ATELIER ouvert – Join a creative activity. Drop in from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 16:00. No booking required.
- Guided tour (60 min) – 11:00 (NL & FR), 14:00 (NL & FR), 15:00 (EN). Advance booking required. Maximum 15 people per departure.
The Pavilion of Human Passions
- Guided tour (50 min) at 10:00 (FR), 11:00 (NL), 13:00 (EN), 14:00 (FR) and 15:00 (NL). Advance booking required. Maximum 25 people per departure.
