Museum den AST
Louis Thevenet (1874-1930)
Museum den AST in Halle, which was a former malt house, includes a unique collection of artworks by Louis Thevenet. Definitely worth a trip!
Museum den Ast
Museum den Ast was originally the van Roye Malthouse where barley grains, a basic ingredient for making beer, were germinated and then dried. Numerous maltings were operating in Halle. The van Roye Malthouse was the last to close its doors in 1984. The oldest part dating back to 1720, was given protected status in 1993. The city purchased the building and restored it between 2011 and 2015. Today it operates as a municipal museum and archive. The museum focuses on three narratives: The history of the old van Roye Malthouse, the city’s ancient religious traditions and Halle as a town that likes to celebrate.
The White Horse - Louis Thevenet
Louis Thevenet, who was born in Bruges on 12 February 1874, mainly painted interiors, still lives and landscapes. He often strolled through Halle looking for inspiration. ‘t Wit Paard reflects Halle as it was in his time and shows that the town has changed since then. This building dates back to 1677, but was significantly remodelled in the centuries that followed. When Thevenet painted the facade in 1928, it was a local pub/café. A large plaque displaying two horses and the inscription “Au cheval blanc” was suspended above the entrance. A few years later it would be replaced by a new, bilingual panel. A lady approaches from the White Horse corridor. It is the oldest known image of the building.
Our Lady under the glass dome - Louis Thevenet
Thevenet painted this work in 1917, a year after his arrival in Halle. Together with his wife and infant daughter Jeanneke he settled in the Sollenbeemd, a working class alley which started at the stately town hall on the Grote Markt (Town Square). That particular district disappeared during the first half of the last century. The artist lived at barely 100 m from the church, which would be elevated to a basilica in 1946. He enjoyed painting the interior of the church, the procession, as well as other religious scenes such as this work. Even though Halle has had a Marian cult since the early Middle Ages, the site only developed into an international place of pilgrimage since the arrival of a miraculous statue of Mary in 1267.
Practical information
Accessibility
- The building is partially accessible to disabled people. Circulation is by stairs making the mezzanine floors difficult or impossible to access for wheelchair users.
- Den AST has wheelchair accessible toilets and an elevator.
- Disabled parking facilities are provided opposite the museum building (the Meiboom).
