History of the Museum
A museum was set up in the actual house where the Van Buurens lived, and was named after them. David (1886-1955), of Dutch origin, came to Brussels in 1909. His financial career coincided with the world’s greatest social, political and economic events of the 20th century. He married the Belgian, Alice Piette (1890-1973), ushering in thirty years of happiness and a devotion to culture with their Art Deco villa.
As a patron of the arts, David supported all causes, a mission that was continued by Alice until the creation in 1970 of their private foundation, to which she left the house, works of art and gardens in her will: it is this that constitutes the museum, the realisation of the Founders’ dream.
