For a long time a second-rate, alternately the seat of a small duchy and the capital of the Netherlands during the Renaissance before their division, Brussels truly began to flourish only when Belgium became a state. Since then, it has fully embraced its dual status as a multicultural capital, both national and European.
While the city centre can boast of attracting a near-constant stream of tourists, one only needs to step slightly away from the Grand Place to discover a city that, though it may not dazzle like some other European capitals, has a charm that lies in its simplicity and gentle way of life.
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Art Nouveau emerged at the end of the 19th century in a context of profound economic and social transformations. Amidst the Industrial Revolution, Brussels experienced a period of prosperity and urban expansion. The city grew with the construction of new residential districts, responding to the increasing population and the rise of an affluent and educated bourgeoisie. This new elite sought innovation and desired to assert its social status through architectural works that broke away from the academic and historicist styles of the time.
In reaction to the prevailing styles of the era, architects like Victor Horta, Gustave Strauven, and Paul Hankar—who would become the leading figures of this movement in Belgium—developed a new architectural language, incorporating curved lines, organic forms, and modern materials such as iron and glass. Drawing inspiration from nature and aiming to create harmony between art and architecture, they revolutionised the aesthetics of bourgeois homes in the capital of the young Belgian state. Their designs were characterised by the harmonious integration of architecture, furniture, and interior decoration, using floral and vegetal motifs that gave each building a unique identity. The facades were richly adorned, often featuring wrought iron balconies and colourful mosaics, marking a clear departure from the rigidity of previous styles.
The iconic works of these young architects embodied this desire to break with the past. Brussels' Art Nouveau became a symbol of modernity, reflecting the economic and cultural dynamism of Belle Époque Brussels. Beyond its aesthetic impact, Brussels' Art Nouveau also reflects a change in mindset: it embodies the desire of this new bourgeoisie to assert itself through innovation, to emphasise the art of living, and to integrate art into everyday life.
Today, places like the Horta Museum, the Saint-Cyr and Cauchie Houses, as well as the many private homes scattered throughout the city, testify to the importance and legacy of this artistic movement, which continues to captivate.
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