Since his first solo exhibition in 1985, Belgian artist Luc Tuymans (born in 1958) has established himself as one of the most influential painters working today, known for his distinctive painting style as well as for his choice of historically and emotionally charged subject matter. Organized by Menil director Josef Helfenstein and curator of modern and contemporary art Toby Kamps, in collaboration with the artist, Nice. Luc Tuymans opens at the Menil on Sept. 26 and will remain on view through Jan, 5, 2014.

Nice. Luc Tuymans includes approximately 30 of the artist's paintings. Tuymans juxtaposes his work with selections from the museum's permanent collection such as ancient African and Native American cultures, mummy portraits from Roman Egypt (ca 150-200 AD), an 18th-century portrait of Enlightenment philosopher and writer Denis Diderot and modern and contemporary portraiture.

Viewed together, Tuymans's paintings and the works drawn from museum storage rooms probe the significance of the human face and form throughout the history of art.