FRANTZ CHARLET was born in Brussels on the 29th of January, 1862. He showed his disposition towards things artistic at such an early age that it is difficult to say just when his talents first excited comment.

Perhaps it is sufficient to explain that he participated in an exhibit in Ghent when only fifteen years of age, and that this picture-a still-life-caused much favorable discussion.

His early studies were carried out under Portaels, in the Academy des Beaux Arts in Brussels. He remained there until 1880, then betook himself to Paris for informal study in the studios of Lefebvre, Carolus Duran and Gerome.

He loved travel and new experiences, and made a number of important study trips through Spain and through Morocco, and upon one occasion to Holland, where he met Whistler, Carriès, Bartlett, and the man who was to become his most intimate friend, Luigini.

The art of Charlet has about it a quality which makes it undeniably human and real. In it, one readily discerns traces of the influence of the masters Mauve, Maris and Israels. Their influence is there, but the expression itself is all Charlet.

Examples of the art of Frantz Charlet are to be found in the museums of Paris. Toulouse, Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and other cities, and he is represented in many of the most important European and American private collections.

Any honors that may have been bestowed upon him could have been but insufficient. His awards included the distinction conferred upon him by making him Member of the Société Nationale des Beaux Arts Chevalier of the Legion of Honor Officer of the Order of Leopold.

Of even greater importance is the unofficial title given him by his colleagues: Past Grand Master of the Color Etching.

Frantz Charlet was a member of the Society L'Estampe Moderne, and at the time of his death, its president. The Society lost one of its most honored and distinguished members with his passing, on August 8, 1928.

Source: Sale brochure "Frantz Charlet" by Rudolf Lesch Fine Arts

Submitted by: Neil Gaffney

Frantz Charlet was a Belgian artist who was part of the Avantgarde movement. He was born in an unknown year and apprenticed under Jean-François Portaels in Brussels before studying at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris under Jean Gérôme, Emile Carolus-Duran, and Jules Lefèbvre. Charlet traveled extensively throughout Europe, including Spain, Morocco, and Algeria, before settling in Brussels and founding the group XX (later l'Libre Esthétique) with Rysselberghe and Ensor. He was known for his work as an aquarellist, draughtsman, pastel painter, and etcher. Charlet's works can be found in museums in Paris, Brussels, and Ghent.