Léon Frédéric Biography
Léon-Henri-Marie Frédéric (26 August 1856 – 27 January 1940) was a Belgian symbolist painter. His early paintings combined Christian mysticism with pantheistic themes, while his later works increasingly reflected social concerns. Much of his work also shows the influence of 15th and 16th century Flemish art and Renaissance painting styles.
In 1871, Léon-Henri-Marie was apprenticed to the architect and decorative painter Charle-Albert and in 1874 he found work in the workshop of Jean-François Portaels. The following year, together with other young art students, he opened a private studio where they could paint live, nude models. From 1876 to 1878 he participated in the Prix de Rome, but was unsuccessful.
Upon his return from Italy, he debuted at the Brussels Salon, where he was influenced by Jules Bastien-Lepage and became a member of the artist group L'Essor. In 1883 he moved to Vresse-sur-Semois, in the Belgian Ardennes, and traveled extensively in England, Germany and the Netherlands. In 1889 he received a gold medal at the Universal Exhibition. The young Alexandre Benois was a great admirer of his works and, in 1898, arranged for Princess Maria Tenisheva to purchase some of them for an exhibition in St. Petersburg.
In 1904 he was made a member of the Académie Royale and, in 1929 baron and knight of the Order of Leopold by King Albert I.
His works can be seen at the Ixelles Museum, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, the Ghent Museum of Fine Arts and the Musée d'Orsay.
