What stories could these walls tell if they could speak? This is the Maison Aglave. It stands as a testament to Brussels’ rich Art Nouveau heritage.
The Maison Aglave was built in 1898. Paul Hankar designed it. He built it for Jean-Baptiste Aglave. Aglave was a tailor. The house combines geometric Art Nouveau style with practical living.
Look at the facade. Notice the red bricks and blue stone bands. This creates a striking visual rhythm. The asymmetry is very characteristic of Art Nouveau design. The facade is divided into a wide section on the left. A much narrower section is on the right.
Consider the ground floor. The main section features a large window. Its base shows a stone bas-relief. It depicts stylized plants. To the right is a narrow entrance door. Above it sits a tall rectangular transom window.
Move your eyes up to the first floor. The wide section has a rectangular door-window. A balcony with geometric ironwork precedes it. Beneath the balcony is a large sgraffito with plant motifs. The entry section has a small window. Its base shows a sgraffito of a woman’s head. Flowers and plants surround her.
Three slightly pointed arches top the windows. These arches feature sgraffiti. They represent morning noon and night. To the left, a rooster greets the rising sun. In the center birds fly in daylight. To the right bats fly in the moonlight.
Adolphe Crespin created these sgraffiti. They symbolize a day. The rooster crows at sunrise. Birds are active during the day. Bats fly in the moonlight.
The Maison Aglave is more than just a building. It is a classified monument. It was classified on November 6 1997. This protects its artistic and historical value.
Paul Hankar was a pioneer of Art Nouveau. He significantly shaped Brussels’ architectural landscape. This house shows his unique style. It blends geometric shapes with natural motifs.
The Maison Aglave shows the collaboration of talented artists. Hankar’s architecture and Crespin’s sgraffiti create a unified artwork. It stands as a prime example of Art Nouveau in Brussels.
Take a moment to appreciate this building’s beauty. The Maison Aglave stands as a reminder of Brussels’ artistic past. It embodies the spirit of Art Nouveau. It is a treasure for all to admire.