BAES Firmin
NASTURTIUM
Pastel: 50 x 40 cm / 19.7 x 15.7 in
Signed lower right; entitled and signed "Capucines - Firmin Baes" on the reverse
Painter of portraits, figures, landscapes, genre scenes and still lifes with flowers.
Firmin Baes was the son of the decorator Henri Baes. He was a pupil of his father, of Léon Frédéric at the Brussels Fine Arts Academy and at the free Academy “La Patte de Dindon” (1894-1900). He made his debut around 1900 as a painter of figures and landscapes. He worked in Luxemburg, in Zeeland and at the Belgian coast, where he had a preference for Knokke. His early works show the influence of his master, Léon Frédéric, but pretty soon he moved to a clearer and velvety line. He confirmed himself as a painter of realistic figures and he made a delicate use of light and shadow.
He achieved to put a timeless soul, apart from any fashion, in his paintings by emphasing the concentration and inner life of his characters. Master of the pastel technique. Baes took part in several exhibitions.
Period:
Saint-Josse-ten-Noode (Brussels) 1874 - Brussels 1943
Belgian School
Exhibitions:
Antwerp - Brussels - Charleroi - Ixelles - Ostend - Ypres
Literature:
P. & V. Berko, "Dictionary of Flower Painters; Belgian and Dutch Artists born between 1750 and 1880", Knokke 1995, p. 110.
G. Naegels-Delfosse, "Firmin Baes", Brussels 1987.
