De Block Eugène

Eugène François De Block was a Belgian artist, born in Geraardsbergen in 1812 and died in Antwerp in 1893. He was a painter, etcher and draftsman. He studied at the Academy in Geraardsbergen and then at the Academy in Ghent, under the guidance of P. Van Huffel. From 1834 he worked under the guidance of Ferdinand De Braekeleer. In 1838 he settled in Brussels. He painted genre scenes, interiors with figures and portraits. He made his debut with funny scenes, which later acquired a more humanitarian character. Around 1860 he broke away from the influence of F. De Braekeleer. The execution of his work became broader and showed a refined colouring. From 1885 to 1891 he was curator at the Museum in Antwerp. Work by Eugène De Block can be found in museums in Brussels, Antwerp and Liège. He is listed in BAS I and Two centuries of signatures of Belgian artists. (Piron)