Brussels - Art nouveau & déco

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Art nouveau & déco

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Art nouveau & déco

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The guide was updated: 2019-03-19

For the past century Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings have brightened up the streets of Brussels. The Art Nouveau style was first introduced in Brussels in 1893 when Victor Horta built the Tassel House. This house represents the very first synthesis of Art Nouveau: light, colour, ironwork, mosaics... Architects such as Victor Horta, Paul Hankar and Henry Van de Velde were innovators and created a “total” art style that dominated all art domains until approximately 1914: architecture, furniture, carpets, decorative objects, jewellery, posters...
After the First World War, there was a tendency towards more rational trends that gave birth to Art Deco, a style that features geometrical lines and stylised motifs and makes use of both traditional and modern materials.

Horta Museum, an Art Nouveau gem in Brussels

The Horta Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, welcomes you to the former home of famous Belgian architect Victor Horta.

The Autrique House

The Autrique House is the very first striking building by Victor Horta and a major part of Brussels' architectural heritage.

Cauchie House

The Cauchie House is considered to be one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau masterpieces in Brussels.

VILLA EMPAIN

The Villa Empain, remarkable testimony of the Art Déco architecture built in the early 30's and situated in the heart of the European capital, became an unmissable Centre of cultural and Artistic Dialogue. It is also the international seat of the Boghossian Foundation which has been working in different countries since 1992. Listed since 2007, it was entirely restored. Don't miss it!

Musée et jardins David et Alice van Buuren

Demeure privée, construite entre 1924 et 1928, aménagée dans le style "Art Déco". Eléments architecturaux, tapis, meubles, verreries de style Art Déco. Importante collection de peintures et sculptures du 15è au 20è s., dont une version de la célèbre "Chute d'Icare", l'entourage de Bruegel l'Ancien, des oeuvres de H. Seghers, F. Guardi, Fantin Latour, James Ensor, V. Van Gogh, R. Wauters, G. Van de Woestyne,...

The Tassel Hotel

The Tassel hotel was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000. And with good reason, as it’s regarded as the first genuine Art Nouveau building in the world and is, therefore, an architectural icon. Visit: the venue can be visited by request, but please enquire in advance. Subject to the owner’s availability.

The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)

The Old England building – previously a shop, but now owned by the government – is a remarkable example of Art Nouveau, with its black metal structure. Although the MIM is often considered to be only this dark metal structure, the complete construction is made up of three buildings in which no less than 1,200 musical instruments are on display, with more than 8,000 in total being stored. Visit: Tuesday - Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and on holidays: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Art nouveau & déco

The Max Hallet House

This building along the prestigious avenue Louise is genuinely sober. That isn’t simply down to the logical evolution of Art Nouveau architecture around 1900, it’s also because of the building’s purpose. It was built by Victor Horta in 1903 to be both a home and an office for lawyer Max Hallet. Visit: the venue can be visited by request, but please enquire in advance. Subject to the owner’s availability. www.explore.brussels

The Solvay House

The Solvay House is regarded as one of Victor Horta’s finest works, which unsurprisingly lead it to be added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2003. Standing on the chic avenue Louise, it is a perfect example of how the well-to-do families of 19th century bourgeoisie lived. Visit: the venue can be visited by request, but please enquire in advance. Subject to the owner’s availability. www.explore.brussels

Art nouveau & déco

The Eetvelde House

According to Victor Horta himself, the Eetvelde House, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, was the most daring of his entire oeuvre. Politician Edmond van Eetvelde was someone who believed in new ideas and architectural innovation. He allowed Horta to let his artistic inspiration run wild when he commissioned him to design a home for his family. Visit: the venue can be visited by request, but please enquire in advance. Subject to the owner’s availability. www.explore.brussels

Foundation Frison Horta

The foundation Frison Horta sits in the middle of Rue Lebeau and was built by Victor Horta in 1894 for Georges Frison, a renowned lawyer. It is a house of nature and light with murals and frescoes of flora and fauna that engulf the whole house. Foundation Frison Horta is a cultural institution and centre for art. It acts as a cultural bridge between east and west that fosters greater understanding and appreciation of the rich cultural traditions of India in Europe and vice versa. Guided visit (30') by appointment only

The Belgian Comic Strip Center (BCSC)

The Belgian Comic Strip Center stands in what was once a textiles warehouse. Victor Horta was commissioned by textile merchant Charles Waucquez to develop the building. In the 1980s the building was bought by the government to save it from being demolished. Visit: every day from 10 am to 6 pm.

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