A museum section for display of modern Belgian art was created in 1845. In 1887, older collections were moved to new premises (see MUSÉE D'ART ANCIEN) while contemporary works remained at the Musée de Palais de Nassau, now called the Musée d'Art moderne. The premises grew too small and, in 1959, collections were moved to cramped quarters on the place Royale while a new facility was constructed. Inaugurated on 25 October 1984, it consists of two buildings—a neoclassical structure on place Royale that houses 19th-century works and an underground complex, which holds 20th-century creations, designed by Roger Bastin comprising eight storeys radiating out around a well of light from place du Musée. The complex is connected to the Musée d'Art ancien by tunnels and escalators. The museums are now known collectively as the Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique/Koninklijke Musea voor Schone Kunsten van België/Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
Historical Dictionary of Brussels. Paul F. State.