A View of Bruges

Mechelaere Leo (Leon) was born in Bruges, Belgium in 1880. He was a painter and watercolorist of urban scenes, landscapes, interiors, portraits and still life paintings.

He was a student of the Academy of Fine Arts in his hometown and studied with the master teacher and artist, Edouard Van Hove (1851 – 1913) . He also studied at the Academy of Fine Art in Antwerp with the famed Flemish artist, Franz Courtens (1850 – 1943) as well as with Juliaan De Vriendt (1842 – 1935).

Mechelaere was noted for his urban scenes of Bruges, Damme and Lissewege. He felt and described the ever-changing view of Bruges according to the seasons and with his skilful brush he depicts these cityscapes in all their variety and wealth of colors and strong light.

He moved with his wife to Erlangen, Germany later in life due to health reasons. Painter is considered one of the major artists of the Bruges Colony.

Today, his works can be found in private and public collections including the Groeninge Museum of Arts in Bruges, Belgium.

Literature:

Le Dictionnaire des Peintres Belges du XIVe siècle à nos jours, La Renaissance Du Livre;

Paul Piron, De Belgische Beeldende Kunstenaars uit de 19de en 20ste eeuw, Art in Belgium;

Biografisch Lexicon Plastische Kunst in België, Schilders Beeldhouders Grafici 1830 – 2000, Arto 2000;