The Marc Sleen Museum (French: Musée Marc Sleen; Dutch: Marc Sleen Museum) was a museum in Brussels, Belgium, dedicated to the work of Belgian comics artist Marc Sleen, who is known for his series The Adventures of Nero, Piet Fluwijn en Bolleke and De Lustige Kapoentjes. It was located across the street from the Belgian Comic Strip Center at 33–35, rue des Sables/Zandstraat, and was served by Brussels-Congress railway station and Brussels-Central railway station. It was founded in 2009.

On 30 January 2023, it was announced that the museum would close down in the autumn, with part of the collection being integrated into the Belgian Comic Strip Center.

History

On 19 June 2009, the Marc Sleen Museum was opened to the public, with the presence of Marc Sleen, as well as King Albert II. The king was a fan of Nero since his youth and both him and his brother King Baudouin learned Dutch by reading Nero.

The museum's location was symbolic, since Marc Sleen started his career as cartoonist in 1947 whilst working for the newspaper De Nieuwe Gids, whose office was located on the Rue des Sables/Zandstraat. The original building was erected in Art Nouveau style by the architects Fernand Brunfaut and his son Maxime Brunfaut.

Exhibition

The museum was managed by the Marc Sleen Foundation (French: Fondation Marc Sleen, Dutch: Stichting Marc Sleen). It exhibited original art work and memorabilia by Marc Sleen, as well as an overview of his long and versatile career, including his nature documentaries that he made for the Belgian TV show Allemaal Beestjes ("All kinds of animals"). About 15,000 drawings were archived in the cellars and were available for temporary exhibitions.

The museum had a reading corner for children. Comic book albums by Sleen could be bought as well. One specific story, Het Spook uit de Zandstraat ("The Ghost of the Zandstraat") has been translated into English, French and German, and was made available as a souvenir for tourists. Temporary exhibitions were also organised.

The museum was open every day, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., except on Mondays.

Marc Sleen Route

The museum organised a special tourists' route in Brussels, based on several locations that appeared in Nero comic book albums, including the Black Tower, Palace of Justice, Chapel Church, Sablon/Zavel, Central Station, Grand-Place/Grote Markt and Manneken Pis. One had to make an appointment, though.

See also

• List of museums in Brussels
• Brussels' Comic Book Route
• Art Nouveau in Brussels
• History of Brussels
• Culture of Belgium
• Belgium in the long nineteenth century