Created in November 1948 by artists from Copenhagen (Jorn), Brussels (Dotremont) and Amsterdam (Appel, Corneille), the Cobra movement is still somewhat of an unknown entity outside Europe.

Sometimes surrealistic, sometimes tachist or informal, Cobra is also perceived as the European version of the abstract expressionism that flourished at the time in the United States. The exhibition at the Museums of Fine Arts sets out first of all to trace back the history of the Cobra movement by placing it in its historical and cultural context.

Between the Liberation and the Cold War, Cobra wanted to explore other paths that would today be described as libertarian or alternative. Comprised of around 150 works, the exhibition makes it possible to trace back the history of this colourful movement.