Territoires intérieurs Brings Gustave van de Woestyne and Anto Carte into Dialogue at the Van Buuren Museum & Gardens
Iker
From 22 May to 27 September 2026, the Van Buuren Museum & Gardens in Brussels presents Territoires intérieurs, an exhibition dedicated to two major figures of twentieth century Belgian art, Gustave van de Woestyne and Anto Carte. Through a carefully curated dialogue between their works, the exhibition explores shared themes of introspection, nature, spirituality and rural life.
Territoires intérieurs brings together around twenty artworks, including pieces from the Van Buuren Museum collection and loans from public and private Belgian collections. While Gustave van de Woestyne is often associated with Belgian Symbolism and the Sint-Martens-Latem school, Anto Carte is linked to the Nervia group and Walloon Expressionism. This exhibition highlights the connections between the two artists, revealing how both transformed everyday rural scenes into reflections on the human condition and the sacred.
At the heart of Territoires intérieurs is the idea of the garden. It appears both as a physical setting through landscapes, villages and rural environments, and as a metaphor for an inner space of contemplation and spiritual reflection. This theme resonates naturally with the historic gardens of the Van Buuren Museum, extending the experience beyond the exhibition galleries.
The exhibition places iconic subjects side by side, including sowers, shepherds, mothers and children, and scenes inspired by religious traditions. Through these recurring figures, the artists express universal values rooted in simplicity, faith and humanity. Van de Woestyne elevates his subjects through symbolic compositions and references to Flemish Primitives, while Carte grounds them in a more immediate and human presence.
Presented in partnership with the Fondation Anto Carte and Groupe Nervia, Territoires intérieurs offers visitors a contemplative journey where art, landscape and spirituality meet. By bringing together the distinct visions of Gustave van de Woestyne and Anto Carte, the exhibition creates a meaningful reflection on the enduring relationship between people, nature and the sacred.
Musée & Jardins van Buuren
Avenue Leo Errera 41
1180 Brussels
