KMSKA

KMSKA, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, reopened its doors on 24 September 2022 after a decade of extensive renovation. The transformation added 40% more exhibition space without altering the historic structure of the building. Today, the museum blends old and new design seamlessly, creating an inspiring environment where visitors can enjoy, discover, experience, and participate without barriers.

​Tickets for the museum can be purchased in advance or can be bought from one of the ticket terminals at the entrance. The new entrance is modern and stands in stark contrast with the outside of the museum. 

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) is the biggest art museum in Flanders. With masterpieces from the Flemish primitives and Antwerp Baroque to the extensive collection of modern art by, for example, Rik Wouters, Henri De Braekeleer and René Magritte. 

Level 1 - Modern Masters

On level one, you find the modern masters with the crown jewel, the biggest collection of James Ensor in the world. 
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In the this part of the museum will also find the expo halls where you find temporary exhibitions. Current exhibitions are "  the making of "which explains the renovation of the museum through pictures.
The second exhibition is cosmorama, an exhibition where Ives Maes photographs the heritage of the world exhibitions. One of the halls is called the Light Hall, a pure white gallery where the painting are bathing in a stream of soft daylight. From this room, you can take a crisp white stairwell to level 3 where further modern masters are on display.

Level 2 - Old Masters
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On level 2, you’ll find the old masters. From Rubens to Van Eyck, this entire floor is a feast for the eyes. The museum subtly blends contemporary elements with its historic setting—like the enormous rotating purple hand that adds a playful, modern twist to the classical surroundings.

​One of the most memorable spaces is the VR room. Slip on the virtual‑reality glasses and you’re instantly transported into Rubens’ bustling workshop. You can watch the masters at work, observe the creative chaos of the studio, and even follow the mischievous adventures of the workshop cat. It’s an experience that brings art history to life in the most unexpected way.

The projection room is another impressive room where details from some of the paintings are projected on the room walls. Each new detail rolls around the room like a curtain, each time zooming in on some aspects of the paintings.

The old masters on display range from Pieter Brueghel to Jacob Jordaens to Peter Paul Rubens, with some of their most impressive large‑scale masterpieces showcased on this floor.

Level# 3 - Drawings and sculptures
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On this floor, you find many drawings and sculptures

Level# 4 - Modern Masters

The top floor showcases even more modern masters. From Henri Van de Velde’s Woman by the Window—a stunning work created using the pointillism technique—to many other remarkable pieces, this level alone makes KMSKA worth a visit. When the museum reopened, it faced its share of criticism, but I honestly can’t agree. KMSKA is simply fabulous.