Study for the Head of Christ of The Human Passions at The Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent, Belgium

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"Josef Lambeaux was a renowned Belgian sculptor born in Antwerp on January 14th, 1852. He studied at the prestigious Antwerp Academy of Fine Arts under the guidance of Jean Geefs. As a member of the influential 'Van Beers clique,' led by Jan van Beers, Lambeaux was part of an elite group of young artists that included Piet Verhaert and Alexander Struys. This dynamic collective was known for their playful and eccentric behavior, often showcasing their creativity by strolling through Antwerp dressed in historical attire. Lambeaux's artistic journey began with his first work, 'War,' which debuted in 1871. He went on to create a series of humorous pieces, such as 'Children dancing,' 'Say Good Morning,' and 'The Lucky Number.' His most notable works include 'An Accident' from 1875, followed by 'The Beggar and The Blini Pauper' for the Belgian salons in Paris. Lambeaux's magnum opus, 'The Kiss,' was unveiled in 1881. After visiting Italy, where he was deeply inspired by Jean Boulogne's works, Lambeaux's art took on a new dimension, characterized by dynamic effects of force and motion. His notable creations include the iconic Brabo fountain in Antwerp (1886), 'Robbing the Eagles Eyrie' (1890), and 'Drunkenness' (1893). Other celebrated pieces are 'The Triumph of Woman,' 'The Bitten Faun,' which generated significant buzz at the Exposition Universelle in Liege in 1905, and 'The Human Passions,' a colossal marble bas-relief he crafted from a sketch exhibited in 1889. Among his numerous busts, notable works include those of Hendrik Conscience and Charles Buls, the burgomaster of Brussels. Lambeaux's life came to an end on June 5th, 1908."