Major Belgian sculptor, blending classicism, modernity, and allegorical strength.

Charles Van der Stappen was a prominent Belgian sculptor who played a key role in the artistic renaissance of Belgium during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode in 1843, Van der Stappen began working at an early age to support himself. He refined his skills at the Brussels Academy of Fine Arts, studying various disciplines including figure sculpture and nature-based compositions, while simultaneously apprenticing in several studios. His artistic path was shaped by influential figures such as Constantin Meunier and art critic Camille Lemonnier.

A determined and ambitious artist, Van der Stappen competed for the Prix de Rome in 1863 and 1869, later traveling to Paris and Florence to further develop his style. His works—often rich in allegorical and symbolic meaning—soon garnered critical acclaim. Over the course of his career, he participated in numerous exhibitions and received major public commissions, notably contributing to monumental projects such as the decoration of Brussels South Station (Gare du Midi).

In 1883, he was appointed the first professor of sculpture at the Brussels Academy, underscoring his artistic authority and pedagogical influence. The following year, he exhibited at the inaugural show of Les XX, an avant-garde art group founded by Octave Maus. His inclusion in this groundbreaking exhibition cemented his place among the leaders of Belgium’s modern art movement.

Van der Stappen’s works reflect a fusion of classical training with the modernist sensibilities emerging at the time. Literature was a frequent source of inspiration, as seen in his sculptural group based on Léon Cladel’s Ompdrailles, le tombeau des lutteurs, which explores themes of struggle and mortality. A bronze version of this piece was exhibited at the Salon de la Libre Esthétique in Brussels in 1911 and at the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris, alongside notable busts such as Femme de pêcheur and Pax vobis.

Among his most important contributions is his leadership of the Brussels Botanical Garden sculpture project between 1892 and 1893. Commissioned by the Belgian government, Van der Stappen collaborated with Constantin Meunier to design all 52 sculptures for the garden, which were executed by a team of assistants and students, including Victor de Haen. This monumental endeavor remains a cornerstone in the history of Belgian public sculpture.

Charles Van der Stappen’s legacy lies in his ability to merge classical allegory with modern expression, leaving an indelible imprint on public spaces, museums, and the evolution of Belgian sculpture.

Literature :

• BRUNEEL-HYE DE CROM, M. LUWEL, M. (1967). Tervueren 1897. Tervueren: Musée Royal de L’Afrique Centrale, p.98 & 118.

• ENGELEN, C. MARX, M. Compagnie des Bronzes. Brussel: Algemeen Rijksarchief en Rijksarchief in de Provincien, 2002. p.359.

• ENGELEN, C. MARX, M. La Sculpture en Belgique à partir de 1830. Louvain: Engelen-Marx, 2006. Tome VI p. 3650-3659.

• DEMUR, A. DUPONT, C. LECLERCQ, C. VANDEPITTE F. (2010). CHARLES VAN DER STAPPEN. Gand-Courtrai: Editions Snoeck.