Renowned Belgian sculptor known for sensitivity and technical virtuosity.

Alphonse Van Beurden was a celebrated Belgian sculptor, born in Antwerp in 1854. Trained at the Academy of Antwerp under renowned masters, Joseph Geefs (1808-1885) and Edouard Dujardin (1817-1889), Van Beurden quickly distinguished himself, winning first prize for sculpture in both 1874 and 1877. Beginning in 1885, he also taught drawing at the Academy, shaping a new generation of artists.

In 1884, he joined the artists’ association Als ik kan (“If I can”), where he specialized in creating busts of fellow members. Over the course of his prolific career, Van Beurden exhibited widely in Belgium and internationally, earning numerous medals at major exhibitions. His work was consistently praised for its refinement, expressiveness, and technical mastery.

Van Beurden is especially admired for his tender, lifelike depictions of children, as well as for his elegant allegorical and monumental sculptures. Notable public commissions include the two female figures adorning the balcony of the Antwerp Diamond Exchange and the superb 2.80-meter-high caryatids flanking the grand staircase of the Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp. His works are housed in the collections of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, the Antwerp Museum of Fine Arts, and even the Antwerp Zoo.

A master in both marble and bronze, Van Beurden was particularly skilled in carving white Carrara marble, producing sober, realistic busts that captured the inner life of his subjects. Later in life, he devoted himself increasingly to the creation of delicate ivory statuettes, demonstrating his remarkable attention to anatomical detail and deep sensitivity to material.

Alphonse Van Beurden passed away in 1938, leaving behind a rich and enduring artistic legacy. His sculptures—whether monumental or intimate—continue to be celebrated for their grace, emotional depth, and exceptional craftsmanship.

Literature :

• ENGELEN, C. MARX, M. La Sculpture en Belgique à partir de 1830. Louvain : Engelen – Marx, 2006. Tome VI p. 3502 – 3507.