Services

brand identity, campaign, book & editorial design, exhibition

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art & culture, public & institutional, publishing

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All piknik team

Clients

Charlier Museum

The Musée Charlier, housed in a beautifully preserved 19th-century mansion in Brussels, showcases an exceptional collection of Belgian art. Once a private residence redesigned by Victor Horta, it evolved into a museum celebrating the art of its era. In 2022, we were tasked with redesigning the museum’s visual identity to reflect its unique character: a blend of solemnity and modernity, marked by the elegance and intimate atmosphere of its salons. The design also needed to embody the bold and innovative spirit of its founder, Henri Van Cutsem, while conveying a warm and welcoming presence.

Despite its understated exterior, the Musée Charlier boasts one of Belgium’s finest collections. Our approach centred on honouring this legacy by making its artworks the heart of the visual identity. The colour palette and imagery were drawn directly from the paintings, creating a cohesive and inspired design. Each season, the museum’s brochure features a highlighted work from the collection, with all print and digital communication reflecting a seasonal hue inspired by that piece.

We selected a new typeface and created a logotype inspired by the original 1925 plaque on the building’s facade, which commemorates the donation of the mansion and its collection to the municipality of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. This design choice reinforces the museum’s historical significance while introducing a fresh sense of modernity.

The Musée Charlier, housed in a beautifully preserved 19th-century Brussels mansion, showcases an exceptional collection of Belgian art. Originally a private residence redesigned by Victor Horta, it evolved into a museum celebrating the art of its era. In 2022, we redesigned the museum’s visual identity to reflect its unique character: blending solemnity, modernity, and the elegant, intimate atmosphere of its salons, while embodying the bold, innovative spirit of founder Henri Van Cutsem.

Our design centred on the museum’s artworks, drawing colours and imagery directly from its collection. Each season, brochures highlight a featured work, with all communication adopting hues inspired by that piece. A bespoke logotype was also created, referencing the 1925 plaque commemorating the donation of the building and collection, reinforcing its historical significance.