Located next to the Royal Fine Arts Museums in Brussels, Belgium, the Jardin des Sculptures (Garden of Sculptures) combines the natural beauty of the area with a variety of thematically linked sculptures. This combination has transformed what was an empty alley next to a museum into something that instead enables a different type of engagement for both residents and visitors.
Combining Natural and Artistic Beauty
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium are a group of art museums in Brussels that contain works covering the early 15th century to the present. Serving as one of the top attractions in Brussels, it is the most visited museum complex in Belgium. The Jardin des Sculptures has been able to provide these audiences with experiences they’re unable to have anywhere else in the complex.
Residing on the site of what was probably the first botanical garden laid out at the end of the 18th century, this green space is located right next to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium and offers visitors something they cannot get anywhere else in the museum complex. It is lined with a variety of trees and features numerous sculptures that have a central theme focused on women. “The River” by A. Maillol, “Bathing Beauty” by E. Greco and “The Offering” by D. Ledal are just a few of these pieces that highlight this theme in both form and composition.
Mentioned as a calm place that allows visitors to get a respite from the crowded city, the Jardin des Sculptures uniquely combines natural and artistic beauty in a way that augments a space and landmark, creating especially unique experiences for audiences of all types.
Cultivating Engagement
Located in a space that would otherwise be empty, the Jardin des Sculptures has instead been able to create engagement with residents and visitors on multiple levels. Whether they’re appreciating the sculptures or simply relaxing in the space between visits to a museum, the transformation that the Jardin des Sculptures represents highlights the power of monuments to make a positive impact on multiple levels.
