Lot n° 32
Estimation :
600 - 800
EUR
Result without fees
Result
: 600EUR
Léon Herlant (1873-1968) - 2 autochromes on Lumière" plate, - Lot 32
Léon Herlant (1873-1968) - 2 autochromes on Lumière" plate, 12 x 9 cm. June 1910 - Rare photographic evidence of the Rue des Colonies, Brussels June 1910, a very rare color photographic evidence captures the Rue des Colonies, located in the Central Station district of Brussels. In the foreground, on the left, we see the Hôtel d'Ursel, now disappeared, before the elevation of the "Palais de l'Expansion", which later became the "Banque de Reports, de fonds publics & de dépôts", designed by architect F. Van Ophem in an eclectic style. This rare print still shows old Brussels, with its art nouveau storefronts, notably that of the corset store, which faces the opposite corner of the Hôtel d'Ursel. The balustrades adorned with multicolored posters add a touch of gaiety and nostalgia to the scene. These include posters announcing the 1910 Brussels World's Fair, a truly emblematic event of the time, and an art nouveau poster for shoe polish "ECLA - acid-free, petrol-free, won't burn shoes", adding a commercial and visual touch typical of the period.
In the foreground, the remaining foundations of Coudenberg Castle can still be seen, before Victor Horta's art deco masterpiece, the Central Station, adds a historical dimension to the landscape. In the background, the church of Sainte-Gudule dominates the scene, providing a monumental backdrop. This photographic record is a precious archaeological document, testifying to the architectural and social evolution of Brussels in the early 20th century.
Attached is an autochrome showing the "Palais de l'Expansion" under construction, capturing a snapshot of urban development at the time. Signed and dated
Léon Herlant (1873-1968), a man who was both a scientist and an artist. A doctor of medicine and pharmacology, professor and chairman of the Faculty of Medicine at the Université Libre de Bruxelles from 1930 onwards, Herlant was the perfect example of the spirit of his time: curious, methodical and sensitive to the beauty of the world.
In addition to his scientific work - including a book co-written with G. Billen in 1896, Micrographie des poudres officinales - Léon Herlant was a passionate Autochrome photographer. His photographs reveal an intimate view of nature and everyday objects.
His works include superb snow-covered landscapes, tormented studies of trees, and still lifes of great finesse, where colors burst forth in delicate light.
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