“A painter’s legacy lives on” I like to say as we start our exploration of Rue François Mus. This street whispers stories of art and history in Brussels. It is named after François Musin a renowned Belgian painter.
François-Etienne Musin was born in Ostend in 1820. He died in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode in 1888. Musin was known for his stunning seascapes. He also captured coastal landscapes rivers and harbors.
Musin’s early life was quite interesting. His father was an innkeeper shipbuilder and oyster farmer. He had a colorful past having served in a penal regiment for desertion. As a child young François was more interested in the sea than school. One day his artistic talent was discovered. He was punished and locked in the attic. Using charcoal he drew a view of the Ostend docks on the wall.
In 1831 François received his first art lessons. His teachers included Michel Van Cuyck and François-Antoine Bossuet. He later attended the Beaux Arts Academy in Ostend. He won a gold medal in 1835. By this time he had gained considerable experience with ships and sailing tending his father’s oyster beds.
Musin continued his studies in Brussels. He enrolled at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts. There he studied under François-Joseph Navez. While in Brussels he made detailed drawings. These drawings depicted surgical procedures in an operating room with the plan to publish them in a textbook.
In 1839 Musin was drafted into the Army. His father paid for a replacement as was common at the time. By 1840 he began exhibiting his work. He moved to Brussels permanently in 1842 completing his studies the following year. His career took off when King Leopold I bought two of his paintings in 1845.
English art enthusiasts showed great interest in Musin’s work. He spent time in England Spain and Portugal. In 1848 he returned home when his father became ill. The following year he married the painter Marie-Célestine Gosselin. Sadly she died early. Musin then gave his share of the family business to his brother Auguste. In return he received studio and exhibition space in the family restaurant.
François Musin also acquired public land. He built the “Pavilion des Dunes” on the beach. It was the first structure of its kind. He rented it out and occasionally used it as a studio. King Leopold I built his Royal Pavilions nearby in 1863. This spurred a real-estate boom. In 1865 Musin transformed his Pavilion into a hotel. The hotel was sold in 1877 and demolished in 1879. The “Splendid Hotel” replaced it but it was destroyed in World War II.
During his life Musin travelled extensively. He visited Portugal the Alps France North America and Norway. Some say he even participated in a whaling expedition. He created countless sketches during these travels. He would later elaborate on these in his studio. Eventually in 1869 Musin settled in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. He built a large garden studio there. He collected maritime antiques. He also gave his son Auguste his first art lessons. His sister-in-law lived with them as a housekeeper until she passed away in 1877.
Royal customers were a major source of income for Musin. Kaiser Wilhelm I ordered eight seascapes in 1853. In 1865 the royal family of Württemberg bought two paintings. In 1873 Naser al-Din Shah Qajar acquired two more. The Museo del Prado bought his painting “The Cannon Shot – Signal for the Revolt of Cadíz” in 1869. He was awarded the Order of Charles III. Surprisingly the Belgian government did not purchase any of his works until 1880.
In 1885 a whale carcass washed ashore in Ostend. It became a major sensation. Musin painted a pochade a colored sketch of the scene. Willy Finch and James Ensor also captured the event.
Musin died of a stroke in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. Friends and family remembered him as a hedonist. He was always in good spirits and ready to recount his adventures. His paintings were often forged. His son created ways to identify the originals. These included certificates of authenticity and wax stamps.
So as you stroll down Rue François Mus remember the talented painter. François Musin’s seascapes and coastal scenes continue to inspire and captivate. They are a testament to his artistic vision and adventurous spirit.