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The nine contemplations

The nine contemplations on the impurity of the human body depicts how finite the human body is. Japanese monks used such series as an aid to their meditation.

Sarvavid Vairocana

The 54 preserved miniatures in this series together form a visual guide for meditation on a mandala. This is a depiction of the cosmos, in this case with Sarvavid Vairocana – the most important of the five heavenly or dhyani Buddhas.

Study painting First entry of Napoleon to Antwerp

Napoleon's visit to Antwerp in 1803 was a high point for the city on the Scheldt.  Joséphine de Beauharnais, Napoleon's wife, ordered a painting to immortalise the entry. This is a preliminary sketch for that.

Congo in the MAS

The origin of the Congolese collection in the MAS dates back about a hundred years.

Small souvenirs of a great disaster

Memories of December 16, 1944

V-bombs hit Antwerp hard in the winter of 1944-45. The blast at Cinema Rex was the deadliest bomb strike in history. The City at War exhibition features a large V1 practice bomb, surrounded by small, personal souvenirs. They show how deeply the attacks affected the lives of residents.

MAS. A river of tales

What makes the museum so unique? Discover the MAS in a few words.

What's up?

Are you planning a visit alone or with the family? Will you be visiting with your class, school, company or a group? You'll find all kinds of activities here.

Calendar

The MAS is anything but a classic museum. The story of the MAS is aimed at every visitor. Here you'll find a summary of our activities.

Discover the collection

Antwerp is a port city where the world has been mooring at the docks for centuries. The MAS collection is the place where city and world meet. 500,000 exhibits offer a varied perspective on the city and its age-old contacts with the world. Some of them are displayed in permanent and temporary exhibitions, but most are kept in storage. In the Visible Storage area, the MAS lifts a corner of the veil. For the really inquisitive, the MAS also has its entire collection on display online.

Collection

Antwerp, a metropolis on the river. That's how you know the city today. In the MAS you'll discover that this has been true for a long time. A collection of 500,000 pieces offers you a refreshing look at the city and its contact with other cultures.