Kapel te Gaasbeek c. 1825 - 1827

Théodore Fourmois made this drawing of the Chapel in Gaasbeek using pen and brush in grey ink around the mid-19th century. It depicts a small chapel almost hidden amongst the dense foliage of the Belgian countryside. Fourmois was one of many artists in the 19th century who found inspiration in rural landscapes. In Belgium, the institutional framework of the art world encouraged artists to focus on scenes of rural and working-class life. Artists were expected to find beauty in the ordinary, reflecting a broader cultural desire to find beauty in the national landscape. This artistic movement coincided with a time of great social and political change. The artwork subtly captures the growing sense of national identity in Belgium following its independence in 1830. By researching period publications, exhibition reviews, and the cultural history of 19th-century Belgium, we can learn more about the significance of landscapes such as this.