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Kunstwerken kopen van de Belgische kunstenaar Alfons Proost

Proost Alfons

Alfons Proost was a Belgian artist who was born in 1880 in Sint-Niklaas and who died in 1957 in Berchem/Antwerp. He was a painter, graphic artist, illustrator, decorator. His parents ran a waffle stall with which they traveled to the fairgrounds every season. Education at the Academy in Sint-Niklaas under J. Horenbant and F. De Wilde (1895-1899) and at the Academy in Antwerp under Van Der Ouderaa and then Frans Courtens. Worked during a study trip to Sweden led by Schultzberg and especially A. Zorn (1905-1906). Severely wounded by shrapnel to the head in 1916, operated on and transferred to London where he stayed until after the war. Came there impressed by Turner's work. Was declared 40% disabled in 1922. Married in 1923 to the painter Anna De Barsy. Debuted in the footsteps of the Barbizon painters with, among other things, landscapes and large figure compositions, characterized by a romantic-realistic atmosphere. From 1907 this rather gloomy, realistic trend was discontinued and he started to draw his subjects from his immediate environment. Numerous fairground scenes were also created during this period. Volatile and often colorful touches suggest the bustle and agility. He leaned more and more towards impressionism and his friendship with E. Claus also led to works in luminist and even some pointillist design. He then often started painting parks in Antwerp and beach life soon became an important recurring theme. From 1930 he also fell under the spell of circus scenes, acrobats and dancers. His style evolved towards the fully openwork character of the figuration that refers to Degas, the Nabis and the Fauves and the impact of Post-Impressionism in general. Was a teacher at the Academy in Sint-Niklaas from 1906 to 1944, and at the Academy in Antwerp from 1920 to 1945. Was a member of the Wase Kunstkring. After the death of his wife in 1949, he left a bequest to the Academies in Sint-Niklaas and Antwerp to award an annual Proost-De Barsy Prize. First award of this prize in 1953. Work among others in the Museum in Antwerp (Beach view), in the Museum in Brussels. Was buried with his wife in Andenne. Mentioned in BAS I, II and Two centuries of signatures of Belgian artists. (piron)