VERHEYDEN, Isidore
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Facts about this piece
BELGIAN 1848-1905
FIGURE ON A COUNTRY PATH
OIL ON PANEL, SIGNED
10 1/2" X 8 1/2"
Excellent
Author Bio
Now regarded as one the foremost painters of his generation, Isidore Verheyden was a transitional painter between the ideals of Realism and Impressionism. He was born in Antwerp in 1846, the son of the celebrated painter Jean-Francois Verheyden and although he initially received instruction from his father it was his time spent at the Brussels Academy that would have the greatest influence on his artistic career. At the Academy he was extremely fortunate to have Joseph Quinaux as a teacher. Quinaux was the greatest landscape painter of his day and taught the young Verheyden to paint with an attention to detail and balance of composition that would contribute to his later success as a painter. From the Academy he continued his studies by apprenticing to Jan Portaels in Brussels also a painter of note but this time a portrait and figurative artist.Finally becoming a professional painter, Verheyden settled in the town of Hoeilaert, close to the Soignes Forest, where he remained for ten years painting the landscapes of the area. In 1883 he returned to Brussels, by now a celebrated painter of ‘paysage’ and within a couple of years started the art group known as ‘XX’. This group of painters were experimenting with the ideals of Impressionism and formed the foundation of the Impressionist movement in Belgium. His works from this period are some of his most exciting. Abandoning the earth and autumnal tones of his Soignes days, his new paintings were alive and spontaneous. Now not afraid of using color he imbued his work with a vivid palette and wonderful sense of light that enhanced his reputation internationally.
By 1900 and as a result of ill health, he decided to slow down and commenced painting a series of portrait studies of many of his contemporaries in the art world. Also at this time he took up the post as Head Professor of Landscape Painting at the Brussels Academy, a position he held until his death in 1905. During his lifetime he was showered with honors including his receipt of the Order of Leopold, the highest award given in Belgium to its citizenry. Today his paintings can be seen in every major Belgian museum including those at Antwerp, Brussels, Ostend, Mons, Ghent and Liege.
Lit; P. Berko
Arto
P. Piron
W. Flippo