Fernand TOUSSAINT

1873-1955

Fernand Toussaint, the celebrated Belgian painter of still lifes and figurative subjects, was born in Brussels 1873. At the age of fifteen he entered the Academy of Fine Arts of his native city where he studied under Jean Portaels, an innovative and demanding teacher who attached prime importance to the art of drawing.

Thus Fernand Toussaint received thorough formal academic training before leaving for Paris in 1891 where he completed his studies. There he met the great Alfred Stevens, who was then at the height of his artistic popularity. With Stevens’ guidance who encouraged him to paint female portraits full of delicacy and psychology, Toussaint formulated his own individual style, combining elegance and fine draughtsmanship with a free impressionistic handling of paint.

He exhibited widely at most of the major venues in Brussels, and at the Salon des Artistes Francais in Paris, where he received a medal in 1901 and a gold medal in 1929. His gold medal winning exhibit that year was featured in the influential Parisian magazine ” L’ illustration”. He also created posters and decorative panels with flowers in “Art Nouveau” style. Toussaint was a member of the group ‘Le Sillon’ and participated at the exhibitions ‘La Libre Esthétique’.

In 1929, art critic Mario de Marchi wrote of Toussaint ‘Le maitre incontesté de la grâce et du charme de la femme’, which translates to “Toussaint is the undisputed master at capturing the grace and charm of women” Fernand Toussaint passed away in 1956.