Neoclassical architecture in Belgium


Neoclassical architecture appeared in Belgium during the period of Austrian occupation in the mid-18th century and enjoyed considerable longevity in the country, surviving through periods of French and Dutch occupation, and the birth of independent Belgium, surviving well into the 20th century.

Origins of neoclassical architecture

Neoclassicism in architecture was the result of renewed interest in the architectural forms of Greco-Roman antiquity discovered in the excavation of sites such as Pompeii and Herculaneum in the 18th century.
Its spread in Europe was driven by:

Neoclassicism in the Austrian Netherlands

Growth of the neoclassical style in the Austrian Netherlands took place from 1759 during the reign of the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria and the governorship of her brother-in-law Charles Alexander of Lorraine.
The growth of the style was aided by various elements including:

Theresian style

The neoclassical style is known as the Louis XVI style in France; however, the parallel development of the style in the Austrian Netherlands is sometimes called "Theresian style" in reference to the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.

Phases

It is possible to divide the architects and their major works according to the diverse phases of neoclassicism in Belgium and the distinct periods of political occupation.

Pure neoclassicism (1759–1865)

Austrian period (1759–92)

French period (1792–1815)

Since the period of French occupation was characterised by the long-running French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, few outstanding neoclassical works were constructed.Ghislain Joseph Henry
  • 1791 L. Radelet
  • 1805 A. Dubois
  • 1806 J.F. Van Gierdegom
  • 1807 '''J.J. Dutry'''

Dutch Period (1815–30)

In 1815, the Southern Netherlands were united by the Congress of Vienna with the Dutch United Provinces to form the new Dutch-led United Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Under William I, many of the most significant neoclassical buildings were constructed in Brussels, including the Academy Palace, the Royal Theatre of La Monnaie, the Botanical Gardens, the Royal Observatory and the Royal Palace, precursor of the modern palace.Ghislain-Joseph Henry

Reign of Leopold I (1830–65)

; Architects already active under the United Kingdom of the NetherlandsLouis RoelandtCluysenaar familyCharles Vander Straeten Tilman-François SuysBruno Renard
  • Pierre Bruno Bourla
; New Architects
  • 1835 Frans Drossaert
  • 1836 Auguste Payen
  • 1841 Louis Minard
  • 1847 J.P.J. Peeters and G. Hansotte
  • 1849 Joseph Poelaert
  • 1855 '''Émile Coulon'''

Neoclassical Eclecticism (1865–1909)

King Leopold II was a prodigious builder, who launched various constructions of large buildings to demonstrate the prestige of the monarchy. However, during his reign, the Eclectic style, which appeared with Poelaert under Leopold I, became predominant, mixing various forms from neo-Romanesque, neo-Gothic, neo-Renaissance and neo-Baroque, as well as the neoclassical schools.
Neoclassicism under Leopold II was no exception. Some buildings from this period, such as the Bourse Palace and the Palace of Justice were openly eclectic; others cited below, can be broadly considered as neoclassical, without exempting them, however, from the banner of characteristic decorative eclecticism.
Note that many of the buildings commissioned by Leopold II incorporated his monogram, consisting of two symmetrical "L" letters.

Late Neoclascissism (1910–80)

In the 20th century, neoclassicism nearly disappeared from the Belgian architectural landscape, swept away by new waves of architectural styles including Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modernism and Functionalism.
In Brussels, the survival of the style is owed to the planning laws governing the construction of buildings in the vicinity of Brussels Park, as well as the desire to preserve the stylistic unity of the neighbourhood.
  • 1910 François Malfait
  • 1920 Oscar Van de Voorde
  • 1930 Michel Polak
  • 1950 André and Jean Polak
  • 1966 Christian Housiaux, Hugo Van Kuyck, Pierre Guillissen
  • 1972–74 '''Christian et Jean-Pierre Housiaux'''

Monumentalist Classical Architecture (1929–59)

During the Interwar period, a style developed in several European countries using neoclassical architecture on a much bigger scale.
In the 1930s, this was often associated with totalitarian regimes like Nazi Germany, but the style is often wrongly labeled as Fascist architecture like Stalinist architecture, Nazi architecture or Soft Portuguese style. However, it was also found in democratic countries like Belgium, France, Great Britain and the United States.

Postmodernism (after 1980)

At the end of the 20th century, neoclassicism reappeared in a revitalised form incorporated in the Postmodern style. This postmodern neoclassicism is most commonly used in the construction of offices and municipal buildings.
  • 1989 Ricardo Bofill
  • 1989 José Vanden Bossche
  • 1993 Bureau d'architectes ASSAR
  • 1994 Wolf et Conreur
  • 1995 Jacques Cuisinier
  • 1996 "Roosevelt Business Park", at 104, Avenue Roosevelt, in Genval)