The Kid Harvester Georges Van Der Straeten 1856 -1928

Georges Van der Straeten was first a lawyer until 1882 and then a student of the sculptor Jef Lambeaux3,4. He settled in Paris in 1883. The Agenda de la curiosité, des artistes et des amateurs mentions that he lived at 20, rue de Vintimille in 1889 then at 9, avenue Hoche in 1910. He exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1885 until 1912. He worked and became friends with Jan van Beers5,6. This friendship led him to find the true formula for his talent which allowed him to become famous in the amiable genre of the representation of the Parisian woman. He received various awards including a silver medal at the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris. He was named a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1903. Georges Van der Straeten demonstrated great technical mastery in his achievements and a high quality of finish. He produced numerous portraits, graceful and alluring fantasy figures of young Parisian women where, according to Pierre Kjellberg, we "find the amiable style of 18th century sculptors"7