Petit Palais to Showcase Brussels' Belle Époque Art Scene in 'Bruxelles 1900'
From November 10, 2026, to April 25, 2027, the Petit Palais in Paris will present 'Bruxelles 1900,' an exhibition featuring more than 250 pieces that reflect Brussels' vibrant artistic landscape at the dawn of the 20th century. In collaboration with the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, this showcase emphasizes the city's development as a center for Art Nouveau, Symbolism, and Neo-Impressionism during King Leopold II's reign (1865-1909). Notable contributions from avant-garde collectives such as Les XX and La Libre Esthétique include works by artists like Georges Seurat and Paul Cézanne. Highlights are Fernand Khnopff's 'Des caresses' and Jean Delville's 'Les Trésors de Satan,' reminiscent of the celebrated Belgian display at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Bruxelles 1900' at Petit Palais, Paris, from November 10, 2026, to April 25, 2027.
- Organized with Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Royal Museums of Art and History, and Royal Library of Belgium (KBR).
- Features over 250 works spanning painting, sculpture, architecture, decorative arts, literature, and music.
- Highlights Brussels' role in Art Nouveau, Symbolism, and Neo-Impressionism under King Leopold II.
- Includes works by Victor Horta, Fernand Khnopff, Jean Delville, Léon Frédéric, James Ensor, and others.
- Key pieces: Khnopff's 'Des caresses', Delville's 'Les Trésors de Satan', and jewelry by Philippe Wolfers.
- References the Belgian section at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, which received critical acclaim.
- Avant-garde circles Les XX and La Libre Esthétique fostered international artistic exchange.
- Writers Émile Verhaeren and Maurice Maeterlinck contributed to Brussels' Symbolist reputation.
- Venue address: Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris.
Entities
Artists
- Victor Horta
- Fernand Khnopff
- Jean Delville
- Léon Frédéric
- James Ensor
- Xavier Mellery
- Constant Montald
- Philippe Wolfers
- Charles Van der Stappen
- Leon Spilliaert
- Georges Seurat
- Paul Signac
- James McNeill Whistler
- Paul Cézanne
- Auguste Rodin
- Émile Verhaeren
- Maurice Maeterlinck
- Léopold II
Institutions
- Petit Palais
- Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique
- Musées royaux d'Art et d'Histoire
- Bibliothèque royale de Belgique (KBR)
- Les XX
- La Libre Esthétique
- Connaissance des Arts
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Brussels
- Belgium
- Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris