Marcel Broodthaers: Brussels 1957-1969

Marcel Broodthaers is internationally renowned for his works incorporating everyday objects, images and text, his films and installations, and his fictional museum, the Musée d’Art Moderne (1968–72). Far less known is his photography, and in particular his relationship with Brussels—the city where he was born, raised, lived and worked until 1969.

This book brings together more than 200 largely unpublished photographs, most of them taken by Broodthaers himself. It explores his critical and enduring engagement with the urban, cultural and political context of Brussels: from working-class neighbourhoods at the 1958 World’s Fair and post-war construction sites to protest marches in the streets. The publication also gathers photographs documenting Broodthaers’ work and life in the city—from his photo-reportages to the happenings he organised in art venues, public spaces and private residences.

More than providing a geographical backdrop, this book firmly situates Broodthaers within his home city. As Stefaan Vervoort argues, both his photography and artistic practice responded to the profound transformation of post-war Brussels, particularly to what became known as Brusselization: the lack of urban planning and spatial regulation that fuelled profit-driven development and the neglect of architectural heritage. The book further contends that Broodthaers’ work was shaped by the broader tensions of post-war Belgium, especially as they manifested themselves in political demonstrations on the streets of Brussels.

In the spirit of this cahier series, this account of Broodthaers in Brussels offers a fresh and pioneering perspective on the artist and his work, grounded in their historical and geographical specificity.