Laurence Brogniez

The Rise of a Small Cultural Capital: Brussels at the End of the Nineteenth Century

At the end of the nineteenth century, Brussels became an economically and culturally dynamic capital, with a vivid cultural scene and a burgeoning literary field. Through the analysis of several themes related to the art world and urban development, we question the cultural emergence of this small city and propose a comprehensive definition of what is a cultural capital, using Brussels as a case study. Our essay concludes by arguing that the nineteenth-century Belgian capital was able to assert itself as an influential laboratory for new art forms, even if always remained in the shadow of Paris.

La légende d’Ensor ou l’invention d’un « grand peintre flamand »

This paper examines the way James Ensor refers to the great Flemish painters of the past (Bruegel, in particular) in his written work. Relations between Ensor’s paintings and the Flemish tradition have often been stressed, but his writings deserve closer attention. Ensor created his artistic position in reference to these Flemish painters. Bruegel, among others, appears as a strong identification figure for the painter who seeks to create a modern œuvre, while staying part of a tradition. This study retraces the legend created by the artist and its influence on critical discourse and reception.