Description of the attraction
The Museum of Fine Arts is located in Ghent's Citadel park. This classical style building was erected at the beginning of the 20th century. The extensive collection of the museum began to form long before this time. It was based on paintings that were confiscated by the state from wealthy religious orders in the second half of the 18th century. Many of the treasures were taken to Vienna, and some were later transported to Paris. In Ghent, there are about 250 valuable works by the sculptor and artists of the past centuries. At first, they were shown in the church of St. Peter, and then were transferred to the Academy of Fine Arts.
Only in 1896 was it announced the construction of a building for the needs of the museum. His project was carried out by the architect Charles van Reiselberg. The Museum of Fine Arts was opened in 1904. The museum was closed twice - during the first and second world wars. In the early 40s of the last century, residents of the city tried to save the paintings from the museum from the Germans. They were taken to the basements of several public buildings. Some of the treasures disappeared at that time, probably ending up in private collections. The museum reopened only 10 years after the end of the Second World War.
Part of the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts was the responsibility of the Friends of the Museum. It collected donations and bought two paintings by world famous artists every year. Thus, works by Rubens, Pourbus, van Dyck, etc. were acquired. The museum also received private collections of paintings as a gift.
In the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent, you can find a collection of paintings from the Middle Ages to the beginning of the last century. Several halls of the museum are occupied with graphic works by Belgian masters.
