Musee Wiertz (Wiertz Museum), Brussels

Part of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, this is one of the most remarkable places in Brussels, dedicated to the works of the Belgian sculptor and painter, Antoine Joseph Wiertz.

Wiertz embarked on his artistic journey by studying in Antwerp, followed by a period of study in Italy after winning the Prix de Rome award in 1832, which granted him three years of residency in Italy. A member of the Belgian Romantic movement, he is credited with pioneering a new style in oil painting. Disliking the glossy effect of traditional oil painting, Wiertz developed a technique known as mat painting, which involved using mixed colors, turpentine, and other additives. His 1853 masterpiece, 'The Homeric Struggle,' was the first large-scale work to utilize this innovative technique. Unfortunately, over time, the additives in the paint led to the gradual deterioration of his works.

In his later years, Wiertz relocated to Brussels, partially motivated by the passing of his mother. Upon his arrival in Brussels, the local government provided him with a workshop and studio space, which has now become the museum you can visit today. Given Wiertz's penchant for creating large-scale artworks, his workshop was spacious to accommodate his ambitious projects. While his grandiose canvases are certainly captivating, his smaller works, including portraits, self-portraits, and smaller pieces, are equally intriguing. Many of these smaller works are characterized by their macabre and moralistic themes, evoking a sense of both wonderment and amusement.