Jules Pierre Van Biesbroeck (1873-1965) - Lente

Jules Pierre Van Biesbroeck (1873—1965) was a Belgian draftsman, painter, sculptor and designer. He is mainly known for his landscape and portrait paintings, his paintings with Orientalist themes, and various sculptures.

Van Biesbroeck comes from a family of artists from Ghent. He took his first steps in art in his father's workshop, later continuing his studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Ghent. At a young age, 15 years old, he made his debut at the Salon des Champs-Elysées in Paris.

Besides painting, Van Biesbroeck also trained in sculpture. A number of his sculptures can be found in public spaces in Ghent, including the statue for François Laurent on the François Laurent Square.

When World War I broke out in 1914, Van Biesbroeck fled to Bordighera in Italy and from 1927 he resided in Algeria. The light and environment of Algeria added lighter colors to his palette and he added Orientalist subjects to his oeuvre.

In 1936 Van Biesbroeck returned to Ghent. He was closely involved with the Ghent Socialist Workers’ Movement and carried out various assignments for the party. In addition to posters, he designed carts, sculptures and panels for the May 1st demonstrations in Ghent. Socialism in Ghent and attention to the working class have been central to Van Biesbroeck’s work from a young age.

ARTIST: Alphonse Van Beurden (1873-1965) - signed bottom left - and label on verso

MEDIUM: pastel on paper

DIMENSIONS: 50x42 and 30x24 cm (without frame)

DATE: circa 1920

CONDITION: Good. In a nice Schleiper frame