The Departure

Florent Willems was born on January 8, 1823, in Liège, Belgium, and passed away on October 23, 1905, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, now a part of Paris. He was a renowned Belgian painter known for his genre works and, later in his career, his portraits of women, which were strongly influenced by the 17th-century Dutch and Flemish masters. Willems was also a highly skilled draftsman.

Willems’ artistic journey began after his family moved to Mechelen in 1832, where he studied at the local Academy of Fine Arts. His early professional years in Brussels saw him working as an art restorer and copying works by Dutch masters such as Gerard ter Borch, Caspar Netscher, and Gabriël Metsu. His profound admiration for these artists shaped his painting style. In 1840, Willems exhibited his first original works at the Antwerp Salon, followed by successful exhibitions in Brussels. His talent caught the eye of Sir George Hamilton Seymour, a British diplomat, who became his patron and commissioned portraits of his family.

In 1844, Willems moved to Paris, where he participated twice in the Paris Salon and established his reputation. His restoration work at the Louvre on Raphael’s Saint John the Baptist painting further solidified his status as an artist-restorer.

His paintings, particularly those in the style of Dutch and Flemish Baroque, gained popularity, and in 1855 he participated in the Exposition Universelle, where his works were purchased by Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie.

Willems’ early works focused on interiors, genre scenes, and historical paintings, often set in the 17th century, the era that most inspired him. Later in his career, he concentrated more on portraits, especially of elegant women in opulent costumes. His mastery in depicting textures—whether fabrics, ornaments, or furniture—earned him high praise. His painting technique was noted for its meticulous attention to detail and his use of glazing to create an almost enamel-like finish.

Willems was a mentor to Alfred Stevens, who learned the art of portraying women from him. His works found great success in America, and he remained a popular artist throughout his career. In 1878, Willems was inducted into the French Legion of Honor, further recognizing his contributions to the arts.

His work is held in various museums across the world, including: Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels; Groeningemuseum, Bruges; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia; Musée des Beaux-Arts, Nice; Czernin Gallery, Vienna and others.

Florent Willems was a key figure in the 19th-century revival of interest in 17th-century Dutch and Flemish painting, bringing its elegance and precision into the modern age. He remained active and celebrated until his death at the age of 82.