"De Leuvense Vaartkom" is a painting by Louis-Marie Autissier. The work of the most famous painters has been praised for centuries. But what is even more spectacular is the work that was put into this channel. The Vaart Leuven-Mechelen was dug by 500 Ardennes farmers from 1750 onwards. Mining had not yet brought work and well-being to Wallonia. Workmen, almost always farmers, temporarily migrated to expropriated housing near the canal route. For a daily wage of more than 2 francs, they dug out the 30-kilometre-long canal bed for 11 hours a day. The only help came from shovel, wheelbarrows, gangways and primitive wooden hoists. Two years of work took place before the first water could flow into the canal in 1752.
Source: VRT: Op reis met Vlaamse meesters
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Source: Louis-Marie Autissier
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Source: Louis-Marie Autissier
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