History & building

A YOUNG MUSEUM WITH AN OLD HISTORY

Moved, rebuilt, renewed, enriched: M’s history is eventful.

18th century cabinet of curiosities

M's roots lie in an 18th-century cabinet of curiosities in Leuven's town hall. From 1823, the collection was known as the Museum of Paintings, but it was only under city archivist Edward van Even (1821-1905) that it became a fully-fledged historical museum. Van Even and his successor Victor Demunter (1858-1939) expanded the collection considerably.

Het museum in het historische stadhuis van Leuven, ca. 1900, foto Stadsarchief Leuven

‘Kop van de reuzin Megera’, Brabant, 16e-17e eeuw, M Leuven, foto artinflanders.be, Dominique Provost

Niklaas Rimbout & Marc Antoine Angermille, ‘Ceremoniële stadssleutels van Leuven’, 1710/1794, M Leuven, foto artinflanders.be, Cedric Verhelst

Pierre Joseph Verhaghen, ‘Aanbidding der wijzen‘, ca. 1780, M Leuven, foto Fotostudio Leemans

Robert de Nole, ‘Sint-Annaretabel’, 1610, M Leuven, foto artinflanders.be, Dominique Provost

Zaalzicht ‘Verzamelen is een kunst’, M Leuven, 2017, foto: © Dirk Pauwels voor M Leuven

Municipal Museum Vander Kelen-Mertens

In 1917, Victor Vander Kelen donated his parental home to the city. Three years later, that became the Stedelijk Museum Vander Kelen-Mertens. The name refers to Victor's parents: Leopold Vander Kelen (1813-1895), a former mayor of Leuven, and his wife Maria Mertens (1816-1906).

The 20th century saw the museum collection grow and becoming increasingly diverse. The museum building was more than once extended. In the early 1990s, the salons of the Vander Kelen-Mertens House were restored and redesigned as historical period rooms.

Toegangspoort van het Stedelijk Museum Vander Kelen-Mertens in de Savoyestraat, foto 1944, © KIK-IRPA, Brussel

De ‘Verhaghenzaal’ werd later een zaal met oude meesters, foto 1943 © KIK-IRPA, Brussel

Een van de historische stijlkamers in het voormalige herenhuis Vander Kelen-Mertens, foto 1958, © KIK-IRPA, Brussel

Stedelijk Museum Vander Kelen-Mertens, foto jaren 1930, Archief M Leuven

Conservator Victor Demunter (1813-1895) en adjunct-conservator Paul vanden Plas (1903-1967) in de ‘Verhaghenzaal’, foto jaren 1930 — Conservator Victor Demunter (1857-1939) en adjunct-conservator Paul vanden Plas (1903-1967) in de ‘Verhaghenzaal’, foto jaren 1930, Archief M Leuven

Nieuwe museumzaal gewijd aan schilder Pièrre Joseph Verhaghen, foto begin jaren 1930, Archief M Leuven

New building, new zest

In the new millennium, the museum was given a new lease of life. Plans were made for a brand new building that was to incorporate the most valuable parts of the old complex. Architect Stéphane Beel did the design. After three years of renovation, the new museum opened its doors on 20 September 2009. With that comes a new name: M Leuven

Did you know that some rooms in the museum are available for hire? Indoors or outdoors, early in the morning or late in the evening, for small or large groups, with or without museum visit or snacks and drinks... We are happy to welcome you to M.

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