Antwerp: the Mayer van den Bergh Museum

(vero;2023-Oct-29)

The museum is home to the art collection of Fritz Mayer van den Bergh. Born in 1858 in a wealthy family, he was the eldest son of two. When their father died in 1879, his younger brother Oscar took over the family business (trading spices and drugs) while Fritz, aged 21, having inherited a large sum broke off his law studies and moved to his mother who shared his passion for art. He spent most of his life building up a massive collection, becoming a respected art historian along the way. He died relatively young aged 43 from a riding accident without having fulfilled his dream of setting up his own museum. His collection passed to his mother who made his dream come true: in just three years she had a house built solely for this purpose and acted as curator of the collection. Click here to read more about the man (and his mother).

We liked the museum so much that we visited twice in our three-day visit. Practical information on opening hours and ticket prices can be found here.

Go back to Antwerp Major Museums or go on to Antwerp: the Snijders and Rockox House or go up to Antwerp Major Museums

$updated from: Antwerp Major Museums.htxt Mon 04 Mar 2024 16:04:48 trvl2 (By Vero and Thomas Lauer)$