BASTIEN, ALFRED THÉODORE JOSEPH

(1873-1955)

   Alfred Bastien was born into a modest family in Ixelles on 16 September 1873. He studied art at the Académie royale des Beaux-Arts and later, during World War I, served in the Belgian army. In April 1920, he established a studio in what is now the mosque of the Cinquantenaire and there he completed a gigantic canvas entitled Panorama de la bataille de l'Yser (Panorama of the battle of the Yser), with others collaborating. He served as a professor of painting at the academy from 1927 to 1945 and thrice held the post of director. He also completed dioramas and decorative paintings for the Brussels pavilion at the World's Fair of 1935. A traditional artist who produced portraits, landscapes, and still lifes, Bastien utilized an abundance of color in giving expression to his love of nature. He died in Uccle on 7 June 1955.