The Maarten Van Severen Collection
Maarten Van Severen is widely regarded as the most influential Belgian designer of his generation. His furniture and interiors are defined by simplicity, clarity and an exceptional sense of logic. Though compact, his body of work remains remarkably coherent and continues to inspire today.
The Maarten Van Severen Collection
His work holds a unique place at Design Museum Gent. In 2020, his family donated his estate to the City of Ghent. Since then, we have cared for the largest part of his legacy, including furniture, material studies and unique prototypes. Combined with the works already held by the museum and subsequent acquisitions, Design Museum Gent now manages the world's largest andmost comprehensive Maarten Van Severen collection. His paper archive, containing project files, original design drawings, photographs and personal correspondence, is preserved by our colleagues at Ghent City Archives.
A living collection
Design Museum Gent is the international reference point for anyone researching the work of Maarten Van Severen. We share his legacy through international loans and continue to keep his work alive through our own exhibitions and programmes.
Behind the scenes, new projects are constantly taking shape. Together with Dropcity, we are preparing a major exhibition in Milan in 2027. That same year, we will publish a comprehensive monograph on Van Severen's work, followed in 2028 by a major exhibition in our renewed museum.
We are also relaunching the prestigious Maarten Van Severen Chair, a collaboration between The Maarten Van SeverenFoundation, KASK School of Arts, Archipel and Design Museum Gent. Previous editions welcomed internationally renowned designers including Erwan Bouroullec, Alfredo Häberli, Aldo Bakker, Francesca Torzo and Glenn Martens for masterclasses and workshops with students from around the world.
Questions? Email eva.vanregenmortel@stad.gent