hortamuseum | saint-gilles

Imagine a different idea for a moment: "Horta, ceci n'est pas un architecte Art nouveau". The aim of this exhibition is to show Horta in a different light. Let's forget style issues and ready-made images of this architect. Let's even try to forget Art Nouveau, a useful but sometimes petty concept, for a moment. Let's look at Horta without prejudice and see what he tells us (and what he hides from us): The role of his wife, Pauline Heyse, and his mentors: Balat and Viollet-le-Duc, but his inspiration also went to Egypt, Greece and the 18th century. Not to mention his admiration for the opera Garnier and the Palace of Justice in Brussels; Horta, an eclectic architect? The magnificence of Art Nouveau will be illustrated thanks to the opening and accessibility of the museum's new storage rooms, which will be displayed in their entirety; this is also an opportunity to present a gallery of creations on one theme: the chair. Visitors will also be surprised by a number of pieces from private collections not previously on display. Exceptional models of capitals and furniture in plaster will be shown to visitors for the first time to illustrate the ornamental aspect of his creations. Finally, architecture will not be neglected with models of buildings and 3D reconstructions of ruined and little-known interiors: Horta's last house and the music room of the Palace of Fine Arts. In short, an event not to be missed: unpublished works, forgotten projects by Horta and a revolutionary approach to his work!