ANTWERP.- The Mayer van den Bergh Museum closed to the general public at the beginning of February of this year and building work began on a new extension. This work is now reaching completion, and as a result the museum has an exhibition gallery plus new technical areas and visitor amenities. The work is being carried out on the first floor of the building adjoining the museum where ‘Lerende Stad' has its offices. The museum has in fact had the use of a number of rooms on the second floor of this building since the mid-1970s, when it was occupied by the Spaarkrediet bank. Old and new spaces have now been linked according to a design and plans drawn up by city architect Daniëlle Van de Vloet. The extension is only accessible from the old museum building.

The old areas, vacated during the building work, have been furnished as they were before and can now reopen to the public.

The new extension will remain closed for the time being, however, while an opening exhibition about the celebrated ‘Mayer van den Bergh Breviary' is under preparation there. On October 16th both the new extension and the exhibition will open to the public, who will have the opportunity to admire this rare treasure in the new gallery.

In the meantime, the public will once again be able to visit the old rooms, including the Bruegel Room, where Pieter Bruegel's ‘ Dulle Griet' (Mad Meg) is on show along with many other works of art from this art museum's impressive collection.