Victor Horta

1861 — 1947
A pioneer of Art Nouveau, Hankar truly paved the way for the modern architecture of the 20th century. Trained by Henri Beyaert, with whom he then worked until 1893, he began his career by building his own house in Brussels. Together with Victor Horta’s Tassel mansion, it is considered to be the first Art Nouveau building in Belgium. This construction was highly acclaimed by Belgian and foreign specialists, including the French architect Hector Guimard. An exhibition devoted to his work was held as early as 1896, when Fernand Khnopff, an artist as well as a formidable art critic, highlighted his talent. Together with Henry van de Velde, Gustave Serrurier-Bovy and Georges Hobé, he was asked to take part in the Congolese Exhibition (held in Tervuren) and would collaborate throughout his life with Adolphe Crespin, an interior designer and sgraffiti specialist. One of his influences is undoubtedly traditional Chinese architecture, with which he must have become acquainted through the publications of the time. His early death would leave behind a sadly incomplete body of work.

Buildings

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Josef Hoffmann

1855—1929
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Henri Jacobs

1855—1929