Préparatifs d’un fin souper

Oswald Poreau was born on April 19, 1877, in Schaerbeek, Brussels. He emerged as a distinguished Belgian figurative painter whose artistic legacy encompasses a broad array of subjects, including still lifes, flowers, landscapes, smoky industrial sites, powerful harbors, sea and beach scenes, striking portraits, and vibrant scenes featuring figures. In addition to painting, Poreau was an accomplished etcher, lithographer, and monoprint creator, known for his realistic designs and a luminous color palette.

After leaving military school in 1894, Poreau began his artistic journey under the guidance of family friend Joseph Quinaux (1822–1895). Against his father’s wishes, he pursued formal studies in architecture, drawing, and painting at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels from 1895 to 1900, where he studied under the mentorship of Joseph Stallaerts (1825–1903), a prominent teacher and artist of the time.

Poreau’s talent began to gain recognition in 1904 when he participated in the Triennial Exhibition in Antwerp, marking a pivotal point in his early career. After marrying a musician in 1905, Poreau briefly shifted his focus from painting to music, settling in Paris and working in the artistic community of Barbizon.

Returning to Belgium, Poreau traveled extensively to Germany, England, and especially France, drawing inspiration from various regions, including Brittany, Paris, and the south of France. His work in Belgium captured the essence of his homeland, painting coastal scenes, the banks of the Scheldt, the docks of Antwerp, and the industrial landscapes of the Borinage. During this period, Poreau faced personal challenges due to his wife’s prolonged illness but found solace and support in Yvonne Vonnot-Viollet, a fellow musician and painter.

In 1952, Poreau exhibited his works at the town hall of Schaerbeek, further cementing his reputation as a leading figure in Belgian art. He passed away on December 5, 1955, in Waterloo, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy. His works are housed in prestigious collections, including those of the Belgian Royal Family, the State, and museums in Brussels, Schaerbeek, Mons, Bergen, Temse (Belgium), and Mulhouse (France). Today, his paintings continue to be celebrated in private collections across Europe, the UK, and the USA.

To commemorate his enduring contribution to the art world, a monument adorned with a bas-relief by sculptor René Cliquet was erected in Josaphat Park, Schaerbeek, serving as a lasting tribute to Oswald Poreau’s artistic achievements.