Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens

About the museum

Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens goes back to the couple Jules Dhondt and Irma Dhondt-Dhaenens, who in 1964 founded a foundation to support their art collection and Flemish culture. Their collection of paintings and sculptures from the Flemish avant-garde, including works by Gust and Léon De Smet, George Minne and Frits Van den Berghe, was given a home of its own in a modernist building next to their villa in Deurle. Architect Erik Van Biervliet designed the elongated, simple volume; the first stone was laid in 1967 and the museum opened on 30 November 1968.

Over the years, new donations and long-term loans were added, including the collection of the Stichting Andries-Vanlouwe with work by Rothko, Fontana and Richter. The museum now focuses on art from 1900 onwards and shows about three exhibitions a year, preferably in dialogue with works from the collection. The house is compact and mainly gives Flemish artists the chance to show work or to make it on site. In 2024 the building gained extra space after a renovation.

On the grounds there are two other special locations. The Wunderkammer, opened in 2018, is a permanent immersive installation by Hans Op de Beeck in the former Villa Meander. The Woning Van Wassenhove, built in 1974 by architect Juliaan Lampens in Sint-Martens-Latem, has been a protected monument since 2017; it is managed by the museum and opened to visitors.

Highlights

• Modernist museum building by Erik Van Biervliet with daylight and a view of the Leie
• Art from 1900 to the present, with Flemish avant-garde and international names such as Rothko, Fontana and Richter
• Wunderkammer: immersive installation by Hans Op de Beeck in a villa from the 1930s
• Woning Van Wassenhove by architect Juliaan Lampens (1974), open to visit on visit days
• Museum garden with sculptures and its own beekeeper

Permanent exhibitions

• Wunderkammer van Hans Op de Beeck – A permanent, immersive installation in the former Villa Meander on the museum grounds, opened in 2018 and inspired by cabinets of curiosities and film noir.
• Woning Van Wassenhove – The house designed by Juliaan Lampens in concrete, wood and glass from 1974, which can be visited on visit days.
• Collectie Stichting Andries-Vanlouwe – A collection on long-term loan with work by, among others, Rothko, Fontana, Richter, Borremans and Tuymans.

Founded

1968

Operated by

Stichting Mevr. Jules Dhondt-Dhaenens

Director

Goedele Bartholomeeusen

Admission & discounts

The rates listed apply during the 10th Painting Biennial (28 June to 18 October 2026). Free admission for, among others, holders of the museumPASSmusées, ICOM members, press card holders, school classes with a teacher, and children under 12. With the combi ticket, young people under 18 and members of MDD also enter free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is on ground level and the entrance has a ramp. A wheelchair can be used on site. The Wunderkammer is on the museum grounds and can be reached via the museum garden; the Woning Van Wassenhove is only accessible by appointment or on visit days.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum organises family workshops and an art day for children, and Studio MDD combines art with crafts. Children under 12 enter free. There is room to be outside in the museum garden.

Getting there & parking

From Ghent it is about 10 km by bike following the cycle node network, or about 6 km from De Pinte station. During the 10th Painting Biennial (until and including 18 October 2026) there is a promotion with a free Blue-bike membership for new members.

Amenities & dining

The museum has a webshop (shop.museumdd.be).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit