Fernand Debonnaires (1907-1997). "the Annunciation". Original Plaster. 1930s.

Bas-relief of Roman inspiration signed Debonnaires.
Dimensions, 31 x 90 x 5 cm. Weight 12 kg.
On the right: AVE GRATIA PLENA. On the left: ECCE ANCILLA DOMINI.
Another bas-relief was made by F. Debonnaires for the altar of the abbey church of Orval.
Fernand Debonnaires (1907-1997).
1907 Fernand Debonnaires was born in St Gilles (Brussels). 1918 He left school at the age of 11 to regularly attend the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels under the direction of I. de Rudder, P. Dubois and V. Rousseau. 1928, he won the Godecharle Prize thanks to which he traveled to France, Italy and London. He was awarded the Prix de Rome three times in 1933, he won the Rubens Prize. 1951 Professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, 1969 he was elected member of the Academy of Belgium. Best-known works: - "The Apprentice" at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow. - "Head of a Man", "Bather in the Sun", "Young Girl" at the Museum of Brussels. - "Torso" and "Reclining Figure" at the Museum of Liège. - "Self-portrait" in Ghent. - "Standing Figure" in La Louvière. - "The Beautiful Season" at the Museum of Ixelles. Unbeatable in the creation of portraits, he sculpted the busts of Dumont Wilden, de Beukelaar, Marie Gevers, Adolphe Max, Jean Absil, Paul-Henri Spaak, Philibert Cockx, Lucien Cooremans, Martin ex-director at the Royale Belge, etc. Fernand Debonnaires is also known for his monumental works - "St Amand" (stone 3.25m) at the church of Laeken - "Virgin of Orval" (bronze 3.25m) - "The Machinist" in front of two bas-reliefs entitled "The Liberation" and dedicated to the railway workers resisting at the - Central Station in Brussels.