World's largest collection of René Magritte works, spanning his entire career. Over 200 paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photographs. Surrealism explained through the life and context of Belgium's most famous painter.
Location
Grand-Place / Ilot Sacré, Brussels
Map
Insider Intel
Start on the top floor (chronological route descends through three floors). The early works show his progression into surrealism. The 1930s and 1940s rooms contain the iconic images — The Son of Man, The Treachery of Images, Golconda. Spend time with the later works which are less famous but often better. The biographical context is excellent.
Weekday morning to avoid tour groups. Part of the Royal Museums complex — combine with the Fine Arts Museum if you have time. Friday evenings (until 8pm) are less crowded.
René Magritte (1898–1967) lived in Brussels his entire life. His surrealism is conceptual rather than dreamlike — objects placed in impossible contexts to disrupt assumptions. The museum opened in 2009 in a renovated neoclassical building. The permanent collection is comprehensive — you will see all the famous works and many you have never heard of. The museum shop is one of the better ones. Combined ticket with the Royal Museums of Fine Arts is better value if you are doing both.