The Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp is a highly respected institute with a large collection of paintings, statues and drawings. The mainly Flemish and Belgian collection of the museum is internationally renowned. Visitors can admire the works of Jean Fouquet, Antonello da Messina, Jan Van Eyck, Quinten Massijs, the altarpieces of Rubens and his contemporaries. The museum possesses not only the largest collection of paintings and drawings of Ensor, but also has a rich collection of modern works. This book, which is illustrated with many unpublished documents and photographs, tells the fascinating story of the Antwerp museum. Several authors describe the search for the ideal building, the expansion of the collection and the important role of engaged art lovers, the restorers' devotion in the nineteenth century, the work of the researchers and the library, the discovery of the general public and the concept of 'community-mindedness'. 220 colour