The Life and Art of Clémence Michel
Clémence Michel was a Belgian painter born in Charleroi. She was a student of the symbolist painter Antoine Lacroix, to whom she was married. Throughout her career, she worked in Brussels, maintaining a studio in the Schaerbeek district at rue des Ailes. Her artistic practice was deeply connected to various professional circles, as she was a member of L'Essor and a founding member of Pour l'Art.
Her oeuvre is characterized by a free and vague style, utilizing clever composition and a monochrome use of color. She was particularly noted for her ability to portray the turmoil of the sea through the application of thick and vibrant brushstrokes. Her subject matter was diverse, encompassing:
Exhibitions and Collections
Michel was a regular participant in exhibitions at Pour l'Art for thirty years, including the Pour l'Art. XVIe Exposition Annuelle in 1908 and the twenty-fifth salon in 1923. Her work has been featured in various collections across Belgium, including the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, the Stedelijk Museum Wuyts-Van Campen, and the MoMuse museum.
Several of her paintings, such as Ancien château vert, were sold by the artist to the municipality of Schaerbeek following the First World War. Other works are held by the municipalities of Saint-Gilles and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, and are included in the Inventory of the Movable Heritage of the Brussels-Capital Region.
