De Cock Xavier

Xavier De Cock was a Belgian painter, born in Ghent in 1818 and died in Deurle in 1896. He was the brother of César De Cock. He trained at the Academy of Ghent (1830-1835) and at the Academy of Antwerp under the guidance of F. De Braekeleer (Sr) (1835-1837). He studied the old landscape painters in the Netherlands. Like his brother, he stayed in Paris and Barbizon (1852-1859). He painted realistic but poetic landscapes, often with figures or animals, mainly cows. His work often has a rather hazy atmosphere. He also realized several portraits. After his marriage, he settled permanently in Deurle in 1860, but he continued to spend some time each spring in Paris. His works can be found in the museums of Brussels, Antwerp, Kortrijk, and Ghent. He is mentioned in BAS I and Two Centuries of Signatures of Belgian Artists. (Piron)