Is a Return to Belgian Art’s “Golden Age” Possible?

Since opening in 2015, the Valérie Bach Gallery has held a series of events in Brussels with a museum-like ambition, in keeping with its outstanding location: the former Royal Skating Rink, whose name it bears. Solo shows and thematic exhibitions, such as those devoted to narrative figuration or kinetic art, take turns in its vast nave. “Painting Belgium”, currently on the bill, is in this vein. An overview of post-war Belgian abstract painting, it echoes “Sculpting Belgium”, which took place there in 2017. In both cases, Constantin Chariot, the gallery’s associate director, explored the “Trente Glorieuses”, the hopeful years between 1945 and 1975, an exciting time for Belgian art. “This golden age ended in the 1970s, when the country was split up into regions,” Chariot says. “The machine to promote Belgian art broke down. In less than 10 years, Belgian artists disappeared to become Walloons, Flemings or Brusselers. Gallery owners and institutions huddled together in their community shells. Public…