WALCKIERS, Gustave

Author Bio

          Renowned as a painter of urban street scenes, the paintings of Gustave Walckiers are noted for their rich coloring and fine attention to detail.  He was born in the Brussels suburb of Saint-Josse-ten-Node in 1831 and received his initial artistic education under the direction of Francois Bossuet at the Academy of Brussels.  He left the academy in 1853 and it appears he went to France as it is recorded that he made the acquaintance of the great French painter Jules Bretom.  Although he would enjoy his friendship with Bretom it appears that it was his old teacher Bossuet that would prove to be the greater influence on his style.  Utilizing a technique similar to that of the Belgian Salon painters he commenced his career in the late 1850’s.  At first he concentrated on depicting the bustling streets of his native Louvain and Brussels but later he traveled further afield to find suitable subjects. 

          Although the exact location of this particular work is unknown it has been suggested that it depicts a view in southern France and can be dated to around 1870.  It retains its original gold leaf frame and is a classic example of his work.  Others can be seen on permanent exhibition at the museums of Anterwerp, Anderlecht, Ghent, Tournai and Kourtrai in Belgium.

Lit;    E. Benezit

          Arto

          P. Piron