The origins of art nouveau and Belgium’s colonial past: A complex intersection

The rise of Art Nouveau in Belgium is inextricable from the concurrent exploitation of Congo, its people and its rich natural resources. Architecture is always rooted in a political, social, and economic context and visitors should know that most Brussels’ most famous Art Nouveau structures were commissioned by individuals whose wealth was built on exploiting…

Ursulines Winter Garden (Belgium, 1900) – The Reason Why

Why did a group of Ursuline sisters in the Flemish countryside decided to build an impressive Art Nouveau winter garden in 1900? It’s unclear exactly why the Ursuline sisters in the Flemish countryside decided to build an Art Nouveau winter garden in 1900, as there is little documentation available on the subject. However, it is…