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Project

Aristocratic Amateur Women Artists in Belgium (1806-1914)

Aristocratic Amateur Women Artists in Belgium (1806-1914)

During the nineteenth century, almost all girls of noble birth learned to practice one or more artistic disciplines. However, they were not supposed to develop an artistic career. If they were not to become professional artists, why was it important that they learned the arts?

In six subsequent chapters, different aspects of the art practice of aristocratic women in Belgium from 1806 till 1914 are analysed. Three examples of such themes are the use of artistic talent in interior decoration, the combination of art and charity, and the search for acknowledgement via exhibitions. Each facet is ascertained by one case study embedded in a larger context of more than two hundred amateur artists from this class. Each time the results are supported by largely unknown material consulted in private archives and collections, confronted with recent literature.  

Date:30 Oct 2012 →  4 Jul 2018
Keywords:women artists, amateur artists, 19th century, Belgium, nobility
Disciplines:Visual arts, Art studies and sciences, Conservation-restoration science
Project type:PhD project