Anna Boch

A Belgian and French artist, collector and patron. A bright representative of the innovative, at that time movement “neo-impressionism” she was the only woman in the Belgian avant-garde of fine arts.

Born into the family of faience manufacturer Victor Boch, a co-owner of the industrial and trading company Villeroy & Boch. She was the eldest sister of painter Eugène Boch. Their parents were fond of art, and in the summer the family traveled to the Belgian coast, where Anna started drawing at an early age. From her teachers, Anna learned many styles, including Realism and Academicism. However, the main popular styles in her work were Impressionism, Neo-impressionism and to a lesser extent Post-impressionism.

Being a member of “Les XX” (“Society XX” or “Twenty”) which, besides the organization of exhibitions, was engaged in the intensive cultural exchange in the field of art between France and Belgium. A. Boch was able to make a significant by the number and quality personal collection of works of contemporary artists. In the collection, a part of which the artist gifted to the Royal Museum of Belgium, there were paintings by Gauguin, Seurat, Signac and Ensor. In later years, A. Boch was a member of the groups “La Libre Esthetique” (“Liber Esthetic”) and “Vie et lumiere” (“Light and Life”).

Key Ideas:

– For a long time, Anna Boch shared the views of Rysselberghe, a passionate supporter of Seurat’s method of painting. Slowly, she departs from the technique of pointillism, in her opinion, too systematic to move on to a freer one.

– Her main feature is spontaneity, brighter colors and emotions. This reflected the sensitivity of the artist’s nature.

– The artist’s favorite objects for the image are landscapes and flowers, sunny gardens, dunes and the Belgian coast the Breton landscapes. Among them there are surprisingly bright ones. However, for the most part, A. Boch’s paintings are characterized by the endless softness of color the presence of very delicate shadows and reflexes.