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About the MAS

The MAS is more than an interesting building with countless impressive objects. Discover what makes the museum so unique and how it works.

20 years 'Flemish Masterpieces Decree'

What is valuable must be protected. That is the logic of the Flemish Masterpieces Decree. Since the creation of this decree in 2003, just about 1,000 objects and collections have been recognised and protected as masterpieces. Through decree, the government also strengthens public collections by acquiring important masterpieces.

‘Cask hood’ of an alembic

This ‘helmet’ is indispensable in illustrating the history of distillation in the Low Countries. In various 16th and 17th-century engravings and paintings, you can see how vapours were cooled down and converted into liquids in a helmet like this. In Belgium, we do not know a second one like this.

Provenance of the Congo collection

The MAS preserves culturally and historically sensitive Congolese heritage. In what circumstances did this collection of approximately 3,800 cultural objects come into being? A two-year research project will map this out more clearly.

An entire city in one museum space

Thanks to the documentary by Christian Barani, during the exhibition, you will feel as if you are strolling through the streets of Chandigarh. Eight large screens show you how the current residents live in the carefully planned city, long after the architect is gone.

100 x Congo

A century of Congolese art in Antwerp

The exhibition '100 x Congo' focuses on one hundred unique Congolese works.What are the stories behind the Congolese objects? And how did they end up here? What was their significance to various Congolese peoples? And where lies the future of the collection?