Tielens Alexandre

Alexandre Tielens was a Belgian painter, born in Brussels in 1868 and died in Brussels in 1939. At a young age he studied drawing and painting at the Academy in Brussels, where he soon worked under the supervision of J. Portaels (1882- 1887). He painted picturesque streets, village and cityscapes, landscapes, flowers and still lifes. He worked in a resolutely realistic design with an impressionistic touch. His works are characterized by the use of a generous paint paste and testify to his interest in the play of light. He also found his inspiration in France and Italy, where he spent several months every year. When the Ecole Française was founded in Brussels, he installed a triptych (wall paintings) in the reception room. In 1901 he took part in the Spa Salon, where Queen Marie-Henriette of Belgium bought two of his works. He also took part in the Brussels Salon in 1909, where he was noticed by the Duke of Arenberg. Alexandre Tielens became one of the Duke's chosen painters. He himself trained several young painters in his studio. Towards the end of his life, he gradually became blind. He is mentioned in BAS II and Two centuries of signatures of Belgian artists. (Piron)