19th Century Belgian Painting in the Hermitage

On 28 February, 2003, in the Winter Palace (Rooms No. 338-341) opened an exhibition of 50 paintings by the 19th century Belgian artists.

Though the history of cultural contacts of Russia with Belgium is less long and eventful than with France or Germany, it was eventful enough for Belgian paintings to find their way to Russia. In the early 19th century Russian periodicals from time to time took note of Belgium, especially after the 1830 revolution and the creation of an independent kingdom. The first painting by the Belgian artist Willems was brought to St. Petersburg in 1842 and displayed at the annual exhibition of the Academy of Arts. By 1849 there were fourteen of them. The same exhibition showed five portraits by W. de Gronkel, the only Belgian member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. Eduard Agnessen came to St. Petersburg in 1871 to create a portrait of the actor V.V. Samoylov.

The 1851 and 1861 exhibitions in St. Petersburg were remarkable for their scope and quality. Works by Henri Leys and Louis Gallet held a place of honor in them. Belgian paintings including works by Brakeler, Eckhaut and Wauters were sold at auctions of foreign art. In 1854, for the Empress’s birthday, Emperor Nicholas I bought a painting by Dillens from Endhovens. In 1857, Alexander II bought works by Dillens and Eugen Veerbukhoven for Christmas gifts. This is undoubtedly the best and fullest collection of the 19th century Belgian painting outside Belgium including works by almost all the renowned Belgian masters of the epoch.

The illustrated catalogue is prepared by the exhibition’s curator B.I. Asvarishch of the Hermitage Department of West European Art.

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Georgy V. Vilinbakhov, Deputy Director Research of the State Hermitage Museum opening the exhibition

At the exhibition