What if a house could be a museum? The Van Buuren Museum & Gardens is exactly that. It is a former private house turned into a museum and park. Here, in Uccle, Brussels, stands a testament to art and life.
David Van Buuren and his wife Alice Piette created this space. They built it between 1924 and 1928. The house reflects the Amsterdam School style. Together they made it a Gesamtkunstwerk. This means it is a total work of art. It showcases their impressive art collection. The collection spans from the 15th to the 20th century. The interior is rich with Art Deco designs.
David Van Buuren was a banker and art collector. Born in the Netherlands in 1886, he settled in Brussels in 1909. Alice Piette, his Belgian wife, shared his passion for the arts. They hosted many famous people here. Raoul Dufy and René Magritte were among their guests.
The gardens around the Van Buuren Museum & Gardens are as impressive as the house itself. Jules Buyssens designed the first garden in 1924. Later, in 1968, René Pechère added his touch. The gardens now cover 1.5 hectares. They offer a blend of styles. There is a Picturesque Garden, a Labyrinth, and a Garden of the Hearts.
Alice Van Buuren willed the house to become a museum in 1975. In 2001, it was declared a National Heritage Site. The Van Buuren Museum & Gardens preserves their legacy. It shares their love for art and beauty with the public.
Inside the Van Buuren Museum, you will find many rooms. The vestibule welcomes you. The hall and staircase guide you further. You can explore the living room. You can also see the dining room, study, and studio. Each room holds treasures. Rare furniture and signed carpets adorn the spaces. Stained glass windows add color. Sculptures and paintings by masters fill the walls.
David Van Buuren collected paintings by famous artists. James Ensor and Pieter Bruegel the Elder are among them. He was a patron of Gustave van de Woestijne. The museum has 32 of his paintings.
The living room boasts modernist carpets by Jaap Gidding. A grand piano made of rosewood stands elegantly. Julius Blüthner designed it. The entrance hall features an Art Deco chandelier. Jan Eisenloeffel designed this chandelier.
The gardens around Van Buuren Museum & Gardens offer different experiences. The Picturesque Garden reflects the Roaring Twenties. The Labyrinth is inspired by the Song of Solomon. André Willequet’s sculptures decorate it. The Garden of the Hearts adds a romantic touch. René Pechère designed it.
Alice Van Buuren saw these gardens as a complement to her villa. They blend style and time. The gardens are open year-round.
The Van Buuren Museum & Gardens received the Europa Nostra Award in 2015. This was for the restoration of the gardens. In 2023, it became the first Belgian site on the European Route of Historic Gardens.
The Van Buuren Museum & Gardens is more than just a museum. It is a home, a gallery, and a garden. It is a place where art and life come together. It offers a unique glimpse into the world of David and Alice Van Buuren. It shows their passion for art, design, and nature. Their legacy lives on here.