Perhaps you have heard the name \u00c9mile Fabry. This plaque commemorates him. Let’s delve into the life and legacy of this remarkable Belgian artist. \u00c9mile Fabry was born in Verviers in 1865. He died in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre in 1966 at the remarkable age of 100. He was a painter of the symbolist movement.
\u00c9mile Fabry’s full birth name was Barthelemi Emile Henri Marie Fabry. Sometimes he was known as \u00c9mile-Barth\u00e9l\u00e9my Fabry. Fabry studied in Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Portaels’ studio. He was influenced by Michelangelo, Ingres and Pierre Puvis de Chavannes.
In 1892, \u00c9mile Fabry became a founding member of the “Pour l’Art” circle. In 1893, he exhibited in Paris at the Salon d’Art Id\u00e9aliste. Fabry collaborated with architects Victor Horta and Paul Hankar. By 1902, he had settled in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. The writings of Jos\u00e9phin P\u00e9ladan and the Rosicrucian theories inspired his paintings.
At 39, \u00c9mile Fabry began teaching at the Acad\u00e9mie de Bruxelles. During World War I, he moved to England and discovered the Pre-Raphaelites. His studio was located on rue du coll\u00e8ge Saint-Michel in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. The building still stands today. Jean Delville founded L’Art Monumental. \u00c9mile Fabry was a founding member. The society included painters, architects and sculptors.
\u00c9mile Fabry’s works include “Les Gestes” and “Pour l’art” a lithograph from 1897. Other notable works are “Tentation” from 1894 and “Le Po\u00e8te” a pastel from 1915. “L’Initiation” from 1890 and “Le Jugement de Paris” also stand out. He also created the decoration for the Royal Museum of Central Africa in Tervuren. You can also admire “L’Offrande” from 1884. “La Fianc\u00e9e” from 1894 and “Les Moissons” from 1921 are other beautiful works. These are located in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. “P\u00e9gase” from 1911 is in a private collection. “La Gaine” from 1913 can be found in the Fine Arts Museum of Ghent. “Samson et Dalila” dates back to 1926. \u00c9mile Fabry decorated the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp.
One of his paintings is called The Initiation. It was created in 1890. “Le Fil de la vie” dates back to 1892. “Inspiration” is a charcoal drawing. It is located in KaZ Ostende. “Expectative” is an oil painting also in KaZ Ostende. “Le Christ entre les larrons” from 1932 is in the town hall of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. “Adam et Eve chass\u00e9s du Paradis terrestre” from 1932 is also in the town hall of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. He created decorative panels for Philippe Wolfers’ house in La Hulpe.
\u00c9mile Fabry designed a project for the wedding hall of Laeken’s town hall. It was created with brown ink, graphite, colored pencils and watercolor on paper. He signed and dated it Emile Fabry, January 10, 1911.
\u00c9mile Fabry was the example of the symbolist artist in Belgium. He later tended towards idealism. Fabry regularly depicted anguished and tortured figures. He created disturbing and hallucinated visions. He evolved towards more peaceful and monumental representations.
During World War I, Fabry went into exile in England. There he discovered the Pre-Raphaelites. Upon his return to Belgium, he created a series of large decorations. He decorated the staircase of honor at the Monnaie. Fabry also worked in the Town Hall of Saint-Gilles. Furthermore, he decorated the Central Africa Museum in Tervuren. \u00c9mile Fabry also left his mark on the Town Hall of Saint-Josse. He created the wedding hall at Laeken’s Town Hall. Fabry was a professor at the Acad\u00e9mie de Bruxelles from 1900 to 1939. He had many students. \u00c9mile Fabry was Suzanne Fabry’s father. She was also his student. He was the father-in-law of Edmond Delescluze.
\u00c9mile Fabry developed a personal style. He contrasted rigid figures with firm modeling creating painted statues. He illuminated the space with light using a pointillist technique. The spaced touches and colors evoked dawn and fruits. Sometimes they were arranged in concentric circles.