From 20 June 2025, Maagdenhuis will host a special exhibition: Beloved Favorites. 43 Personal Stories from the Mayer van den Bergh Collection. While Museum Mayer van den Bergh is temporarily closed due to a large expansion project, a selection of highlights is on view at the Maagdenhuis in this exhibition.
This exhibition is about more than just art – it is also about the people behind it. Exactly 43 individuals or groups of museum lovers have each chosen a work that speaks to them, and they are sharing their personal stories and connections. Beloved Favorites offers a fresh perspective on the collection, showing the emotional and cultural value of these pieces through the eyes of those who love them.
Fritz Mayer van den Bergh passed away at the age of 43. To honor him, his mother gave new meaning to the number: she not only founded the museum in his memory, but also built 43 homes for struggling families in Mortsel – social housing before it had a name. The museum is continuing that symbolic tradition today by inviting 43 individuals or heritage communities to select a piece they believe should never be hidden away in storage.