1 May: Museum closed
The Grand Curtius is closed on 1 May. Join us on Saturday 2 May to explore our permanent collections and our exhibition ‘Japonism and Art Nouveau’.
Japonism and Art Nouveau
From 17 April to 27 September 2026, the Grand Curtius will host the exhibition ‘Japonism and Art Nouveau’, which is part of the bicentenary celebrations of Cristalleries du Val Saint-Lambert (1826-2026). Around 150 works showcasing the aesthetics and techniques experimented with and developed by Val Saint-Lambert during its golden age (1880 to 1914) will be on display.
A ‘speaking’ bust
Saint Bartholomew, the martyred apostle, is often depicted holding a knife or his own skin. The Grand Curtius houses an expressive reliquary bust of the saint, dating from the 16th century and attributed to a Limburg artist influenced by Jan van Steffesweert. This work bears witness to the tradition of ‘speaking’ reliquaries and the devotion surrounding his relics in Europe.
At Léonie's table
This exhibition is brought to you by a trio of artists from Liège who have come together for the occasion under the name Les Gaillardes. The installation takes the form of a large table set to commemorate the centenary of the death of Léonie de Waha, a major figure in the history of Liège. On display in the Glass Gallery from 6 to 30 March 2026.
Tableware in the 18th century: a tête-à-tête lunch
The consumption of hot beverages such as tea, coffee and chocolate became very fashionable among the bourgeoisie in the 18th century and was often a special moment in domestic life. This ritual gave rise to the development of so-called “lunch” services: a porcelain set comprising a tray matching the cups, for one or two people, hence the names “égoïste” (selfish) and “tête à tête” (one-on-one).
The 19th century and old-fashioned security
In the 19th century, certain defence mechanisms – ingenious but extremely dangerous – bore witness to an era when security was more a matter of DIY than technology. Come and discover them in our showcase for the object of the month for February 2026.
Prelude to the bicentenary of Val Saint-Lambert
Discover the object of the month for December 2025, dedicated to Val Saint-Lambert.
End-of-year opening hours for 2025
The Grand Curtius is adjusting its opening hours at the end of the year.
The painter and the poet
Discover the object of the month for November 2025. Renée Brock (1912–1980), a poet with a dense and powerful style, boldly tackled feminist and intimate themes, while running a literary circle in Tilff. Her artistic sensibility resonated with that of the painter Corneille, who used the same pictorial technique, finding sensitivity in the intensity of detail.
Rossini's Cane
Discover the object of the month for October 2025. Given by the sculptor James Pradier to his friend Gioachino Rossini, this cane is a symbol of elegance and refinement, reflecting the talent of Pradier (1790-1852), famous for his precious and delicate creations in the 19th century.