The facade of the elegant 19th century building on the Place Royale in Brussels says classical gallery, but then there are nods to Magritte's penchant for the absurd.
He used them as an inspiration in designing the 2007 Classical Galleries in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
From 1996 to 1999 even the North Galleries, by then considered to "lack a positive architectural character" were remodelled in a classical style, albeit a simplified one.
In a classical orchestra, you have interpreters.
The classical galleries can be seen in a few hours, but taking in the modern exhibits and the sculpture garden as well can occupy the entire afternoon until closing time, 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. on Saturdays.
Vivid magenta, sky blue and a deep aquamarine are hardly colours that bring to mind the classical galleries of the Royal Academy in London, but for this year's Summer Exhibition – now in its 247th year – the bland white walls have been scrapped for an altogether jazzier colour scheme.
Its competitor Durand-Ruel had built a limestone gallery at 12 East 57th in 1913, and the controversial Joseph Duveen had put up a luscious French neo-Classical gallery at 56th and Fifth in 1912.
In addition, there is the Cavea, an open-air theatre reminiscent of a classical amphitheatre; an art gallery, and an archaeological museum that displays artefacts found during the construction including an oil press from the 6th century BC.
