Ever heard of a literary Marshall? Camille Lemonnier Museum celebrates just such a figure. This house museum stands as a tribute to Camille Lemonnier. He was a renowned Belgian intellectual, writer, dramatist, and essayist. Lemonnier was a prominent figure in Brussels’ cultural elite for nearly five decades.
Lemonnier lived from 1844 to 1913. He was a sharp-witted Francophone. He began his career writing for the literary review, the Journal des Artistiques. Later, he wrote novels and books of art criticism. His “Histoire de Beaux-Arts en Belgique” appeared in 1887. He also produced political texts. Often called the “Marshall of Letters” and “the Belgian Zola,” he passionately collected art. His acerbic tongue often stirred controversy. Notably, he had bitter disputes with the artist James Ensor.
Louise, Camille’s daughter, founded the museum in 1946. It sits in a charming late 19th-century mansion. The mansion has retained its period charm. Inside, an eclectic collection of art objects awaits. Sculptures, paintings, and gilded books fill the rooms. The main upstairs room showcases paintings by Louise. Portraits of her father are also displayed. Emile Claus, Constantin Meunier, and Isidore Verheyden created these portraits. Jef Lambeaux’s “The Foolish Song” is a standout sculpture. Auguste Rodin’s “Eternal Spring” also captivates visitors.
Visitors can glimpse Lemonnier’s private world. A recreation of his former workshop offers this. Imagine Lemonnier at his desk surrounded by books. Feel the weight of literary history in this room. The commune of Ixelles bought the building in 1924. It placed it at the Association of Belgian writers of French language’s disposal. That same year, Marie, another of Camille Lemonnier’s daughters, donated her father’s properties and personal presentations to the commune.
The writer’s workroom was restored. It now looks as it did in his house at nr 25 rue du Lac to Ixelles. The museum also includes epistolary exchanges. A large bookcase displays literary masterpieces signed to him. These collections provide insight into Camille Lemonnier’s work. They also illuminate Belgian and French literary life from 1850 to 1913.
In 1997, the Camille Lemonnier Museum became a museum in its own right. It became affiliated with the Brussels Museum Council. The museum presents his reconstructed office. It is based on a painting by M. Cambier in 1946. Artworks that belonged to him are gathered in an exhibition room. These include books, souvenirs, documents, paintings, and drawings. Emile Claus, Théo Van Rysselberghe, and Adrien-Joseph Heymans created some of these. Sculptures by Auguste Rodin and Jef Lambeaux are also present. Charles Vanderstappen also has works here. His granddaughter Marie bequeathed these to the museum.
Admission to the Camille Lemonnier Museum is free. However, it operates on a limited schedule. Check visiting times in advance. The Maison Lemonnier also houses the Association of Belgian Writers of French Language. The building was erected in 1889 by Baron Oscar Jolly.
The Camille Lemonnier Museum offers a unique window into a literary life. It showcases the passions and controversies of a “Marshall of Letters”. As you leave, consider Lemonnier’s impact. His words and collections continue to inspire.