On 31 January 2025, the new exhibition ‘Compassion‘ opened its doors at the Museum At the Stream (Museum Aan de Stroom, MAS) in Antwerp. Feeling or showing compassion is inherent to humans and has many faces. The exhibition runs until 31 August 2025.

Ornaments, utensils, music, testimonies and paintings by Pieter Brueghel and Théodore Géricault, among others, and sculptures by Berlinde De Bruyckere and Annita Smit show how humans have portrayed this throughout many times, cultures and philosophies. 

At the same time, visitors reflect on the difficult questions surrounding the theme. Contemporary work by Ai Weiwei, Khaled Barakeh and Stephan Vanfleteren provides topical comments.

How do we show our compassion? What drives us to do this? Who do we see as good examples? What inspires us? And what if views clash? Or if the ideals are unachievable? The exhibition ‘Compassion’ is about the human need to help others. It is a much-discussed social theme, even today.

Art and compassion

A Brueghel with the seven works of compassion, a Japanese print showing how we can help the sick, a Congolese statue of a generous woman, a Tibetan prayer wheel with a compassionate mantra and a mummy wrapping with the weighing of the good deeds of the deceased soul: objects illustrate how people want to help and support others and show the many faces of compassion and the difficult questions that come with it.

Compassion is not always self-evident. Contemporary artists Ai Weiwei, Khaled Barakeh, Berlinde De Bruyckere and street artist Meek show how this quality can also be lacking or they evoke the feeling of it in a current context.

Several artists created new work for the exhibition. Photographer Stephan Vanfleteren captured the essence of the works of mercy in contemporary still lives. Paper artist Annita Smit made a ‘lifebuoy’ from many solidarity posters. 

Photographer Lieve Blancquaert interviewed people in Antwerp about compassion. Her film gives a contemporary view of the many different perspectives on this sensitive theme.

A visit

‘Compassion’ is perhaps an unusual topic for an exhibition. So I wasn’t sure whzt to expect. The result is an anthropological exercise. How does compassion externalise itself? What is charity? Why are we charitable? How are we charitable? Do we brag about or do we remain discreet? 

When someone needs or wants help, how do we help? At one point the exhibition gives the visitor a choice. A person is in stuck in a crater-like whole. Do you 

• throw that person the tools to get out?
• provide a ladder?
• help the person out and fill the whole so it doesn’t happen again?

‘Compassion’ looks at how religions, philosophies and others (i.e. Free Masons) deal with charity, compassion, mercy and help.

Is it all about money? Is activism also showing compassion? Is speaking up? 

‘Compassion’ raises more questions than it answers. And that its power. 

This exhibition will not be the MAS’ biggest crowd-puller, but is an interesting one. 

Art and museums in Antwerp

• 2025 at the museums of Antwerp.
• 2025 at Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Antwerp (KMSKA): René Magritte, Marthe Donas, Panamarenko, Hans Op de Beeck.
• ANTWERP | Graphics Museum De Reede ft. Francisco Goya, Edvard Munch, Félicien Rops and Albrecht Dürer.
• ANTWERP | Rubens Experience and Rubens Garden at Rubenshuis.
• Antwerp will have a new Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp M HKA.
• ANTWERP | Innovations in the Middelheim Museum provide a completely new visitor experience.
• A visit of the Flemish Tram and Bus Museum – Vlaams Tram- en Autobusmuseum (VlaTAM) in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Discovering queer(ed) art with the Queer Tour at the KMSKA fine arts museum.
• REVIEW | Illusion Antwerpen, an active and photogenic museum.
• Antwerp museums and sports facilities team up with European Disability Card for accessible leisure activities.
• Museum Mayer van den Bergh.
• ANTWERP | Inside Rubens House.
• Museum Plantin-Moretus in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Museum Vleeshuis up for restoration.
• BOOK | ‘Antwerp. An Archaeological View on the Origin of the City’ by Tim Bellens.
• Red Star Line Museum.
• Paleis op de Meir. 
• DIVA, Antwerp Home of Diamonds.
• ANTWERP | Red Star Line Museum of (e)migration.