Beauty and Ugliness in the Renaissance

What do we really mean when we call something beautiful—or even ugly? It’s a question that has captivated us for centuries, but the answers are always shifting. This exhibition, Bellezza e Bruttezza, invites you to explore how the great masters of the 15th and 16th centuries captured these extremes. From breathtaking, refined ideals to the intentionally strange and grotesque, this is a rare chance to see world-class masterpieces, including some appearing in Belgium for the very first time.

The show follows the changing standards of beauty and ugliness during a fascinating era of transformation. You’ll see how beauty became a major social obsession—complete with 16th-century “beauty hacks” and early guides on skincare—while “ugliness” began to take on bold new forms in the art world. By bringing together the finest works from both Italy and Northern Europe, we offer a fresh look at how these two regions influenced each other’s vision of the world.

Come and discover remarkable works by some of history’s most famous artists, including Botticelli, Titian, Tintoretto, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Cranach the Elder, and Massys.