Pierre PAULUS (1881-1959) « Bouquet de fleurs » hst 33x23 cm

Atypical work by Baron Pierre PAULUS de Châtelet. Pierre Paulus studied to be a surveyor-architect, then entered the Academy of Brussels where he attended Constant Montald's classes from 1898 to 1903. In 1904-1905, he attended the sculptor Charles Van der Stappen. There he met, among others, Rik Wouters, Auguste Oleffe and James Ensor. A travel grant allowed him to go to Italy to study the great masters. In 1906, he discovered his vocation in the beauty of his native country. The themes of mining landscapes and the people who work there will be found throughout his work. He organized his first exhibition in Charleroi in 1909. He became friends with Jules Destrée who suggested he present some paintings at the 1911 exhibition. Following the decision taken on July 3, 1913 by the Walloon Assembly and at the request of Paul Pastur, Pierre Paulus designed the rooster featured on the Walloon flag, in heraldic "rooster bold gules on gold". After the First World War, Pierre Paulus exhibited numerous times in Europe and the United States. He was part of the Nervia group as well as, with Maurice Langaskens, Kurt Peiser, Armand Rassenfosse, Émile-Henry Tielemans and Louis Titz, the committee of original Belgian engraving, active between 1924 and 1939. He entered the Royal Academy of Belgium in 1946 and was ennobled baron in 1951 by King Baudouin.