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Applied Art, Art Nouveau, BRAFA, Brussels Expo, Carlo Bugatti, Decorative Art, Fine Art & Antiques Fair, Jugendstil, Léon Jallot, Pierre Adrien Dalpayrat, Victor Horta
Every year I look forward to visiting the Brussels Art Fair in January as it kick-starts my inspiration for the year ahead. Walking around BRAFA makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. The breathtaking beauty of the art presented, as well as the warm and welcoming atmosphere, are just exhilarating. And although I always meticulously mark the Must See galleries on my floor plan way in advance, I am equally excited about discovering unexpected treasures in hidden corners. You can visit BRAFA between 28 January and 4 February 2024, at the Brussels Expo.
In previous years, I shared here as many pictures as possible, from each and every relevant gallery. This year, I will approach the fair differently and focus on two particular galleries: Galerie Mathivet and Galerie Marc Maison. Both from Paris, come to think of it, but that really is a coincidence.
Galerie Mathivet
Céline & Fabien Mathivet founded their Art Galerie Mathivet in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, at the south bank of the Paris river Seine, in 2004. Since a couple of years, their galerie participates in the BRAFA. And every time they manage to surprise me with a few extraordinary Art Nouveau objects! Remember that beautiul Art Nouveau sofa they showed last year? It was spectacular and people still talk about it! This time, they brought three stunning collector’s items that I want to share with you.
1901, Pair of Vases by Pierre Adrien Dalpayrat
Let’s start with a set of red ‘Sang-de-Boeuf’ enamelled stoneware vases with turquoise shades by Pierre Adrien Dalpayrat (1844-1910). I want to share Dalpayrat’s work with you because he is one of the most important artist in the history of Art Nouveau ceramics. He was famous for his copper-based red glazes. The colour of his variation on the red Sang-de-Boeuf glaze, Rouge Dalpayrat, is rich and bursting with pizazz! Dalpayrat’s vases also show a strong influence of Japanese ceramics, in vogue at the end of the 19th century. I guess that is why I am so attracted to them. At the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris Dalpayrat won a gold medal for his originality.
1901, Dalpayrat Vase, Leon Jallot Table
The Dalpayrat vases are placed on the second object that I wanted to share with you: a superbly carved table by Leon Jallot (1874-1967). Jallot was a sculptor and cabinet maker. And from 1899 to the director of Siegfried Bing’s Art Nouveau workshop, overseeing the store’s production and Bing’s installation at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris. Jallot participated in the creation of some of the most prized works of the Art Nouveau movement, designed by Bing’s famous trio: Georges de Feure, Édouard Colonna and Eugène Gaillard.
1902, Stool by Carlo Bugatti
And the 3rd object at Galerie Mathivet that I wanted to share with you is a charming stool by Carlo Bugatti (1856-1940). Bugatti created the most unexpected pieces of Art Nouveau furniture. And often I hear people exclaim “is thát Art Nouveau too?!” Therefore a small introduction of an artist who, like Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926), had his own style and whose pieces are immediately recognisable. Where Dalpayrat was undeniably influenced by Japanese design, we can distinguish a Moorish influence on Bugatti’s work.
Bugatti covered his furniture often with white parchment. In case of this stool, the parchment is decorated with polychrome stylised dragonflies, embellished with gilding and stamped copper. The base holds a large circular decoration in copper and stamped brass, typical of Bugatti pieces.
Carlo Bugatti was born in Italy as the son of an interior decorator. After he studied in Milan, Bugatti went to study at the Académie des Beaux Arts in Paris. In 1902, he triumphed at the famous Exhibition of Decorative Art in Turin where “Only original products that show a decisive tendency toward aesthetic renewal of form will be admitted. Neither mere imitations of past styles nor industrial products not inspired by an artistic sense will be accepted.”
Bugatti Display at 1902 Exposition of Decorative Arts, Turin
Galerie Marc Maison
The other Paris participant I wanted to write about is Galerie Marc Maison, with four branches since 1979 in Village des Puces (Flea Village) de Saint-Ouen, Paris. Specialising in 19th century furniture and decorative arts, as well as monumental architectural elements, the Marc Maison gallery is internationally renowned for its rare pieces.
1896, Dalpayrat Planter in Glazed Stoneware
Their first piece worth sharing here is a very original glazed stoneware planter by the previously introduced Pierre Adrien Dalpayrat, from ca. 1896. The planter is part of a set called ‘The Sea’ that also includes two vases, one of which is held at the Saint Louis Art Museum. According to their website, Dalpayrat’s gift for capturing the movement of water can be compared to that of the Impressionist painters.
And now, last but not least, I will tell you about the most exiting piece at the BRAFA 2024: a suite of three paneled rooms, allegedly designed by Victor Horta, for a private owner in Kortrijk. The suite includes two sensational fireplaces, a pair of sideboards, a stained-glass ceiling and windows, a screen with period fabric and a staircase. Such a rare find is, in my humble opinion, worth traveling to Brussels in it’s own right! However… you may have noticed that I used the word ‘allegedly‘ as we have to take a lot of (lacking) facts into consideration.
First of all, the origin of the ensemble is a home at Voorstraat 22, Kortrijk. That is not an Art Nouveau building, nor was it designed by Victor Horta. It was constructed in 1882 for the Devettere-Bonnet family, members of the industrial bourgeoisie in Kortrijk. In 1902, new plans were drawn up to modify the facade of the building and according to Marc Maison we can assume the interior has been added during this transformation. In 1975, the woodwork was dismantled by the then owners, when the ground floor of their home was transformed into a store.
Wooden Art Nouveau Ensemble at Galerie Marc Maison
Problem with this suite is though, that there is no evidence, anything at all, that Victor Horta was involved in this project. Not in the archives of the Horta Museum, nor in the documentation that belongs to the building at Voorstraat 22 in Kortrijk. The gallery basically argues that if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck. But some of the Horta-specialists I talked to, have expressed considerable doubt. Not only because there is no physical evidence. The alleged evidence that is presented by Galerie Marc Maison rather proves the opposite according to the specialists: that Horta has nót created this interior.
Stained Glass Skylight at Galerie Marc Maison
Regardless of the uncertainty, whether Victor Horta was involved or not in the creation of this suite, anyone will agree that it is nothing less than spectacular. Galerie Marc Maison has safeguarded the interior from destruction, restored old damages and approached La Manufacture Prelle to reproduce the original wallcoverings. And the astonishing result is now for sale! So head over to the BRAFA and judge for yourself!
Continue Reading:
Dr. Nöth Galerie – Impressionism, Secessions & Artist Colonies 1900
Epoque Fine Jewels – Art Nouveau & Art Deco Jewellery
Francis-Janssens van der Maelen – Art Nouveau & Art Deco
Galerie Alexis Pentcheff – 19th-20th Century Paintings
Galerie Cento Anni – Art Nouveau & Art Deco
Galerie Florian Kolhammer – Jugendstil & Art Deco
Galerie Mathivet – 20th Century Decorative Arts
Galerie Marc Maison – 19th Century Furniture & Objects
Galerie Montanari – 16th-20th Century Frames
Galerie Oscar de Vos – (Post-)Impressionism, Symbolism, Latem School
King Baudouin Foundation
Lennart Booij Fine Art en Rare Items – Focus on René Lalique
Pauline’s Jewellery Box – Unique & Timeless Pieces of Jewellery (NEW!)
Thomas Deprez Fine Arts – Belgian Fin-de-Siècle Art, 1880-1914
Studio-2000 Art Gallery – 19th / 20th Century Paintings & Drawings
Willow Gallery – (Post-)Impressionist paintings
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