Statue Louis Gallait - Tournai

This statue is located on Square Bonduelle.

It is dedicated to the Tournai painter Louis Gallait. The monument was inaugurated with great pomp and ceremony on September 20, 1891, in accordance with the tradition - maintained in Wallonia - of celebrating the September days of 1830...

This monument stands on the edge of the town hall and consists of a plinth designed by Victor Horta, whose signature is prominently placed at the front left, with sculptures by Guillaume Charlier on top. The artist is depicted as a painter, palette and brush in hand , working in a simple jacket.

Three bronze bas-relief scenes are depicted on the sides of the plinth between the corner pillars. The first shows Gallait returning home after receiving the Prix de Rome to receive the honor from his teachers and friends. The second bas-relief depicts the 1883 demonstration in front of his house , where Gallait received the applause of the crowd. And the last bas-relief represents the last tribute of the Tournai population to the painter.

Educated at the academy of his native city, the young artist quickly became a success and received major commissions from the Belgian government to create works depicting episodes from "Belgian national history".

Willem Vandenameele