François Halkett was a well-regarded Belgian artist primarily known for his portraits and genre scenes. His training was predominantly classical yet his style was influenced by modern painters, such as Édouard Manet (1832-1883). His portraits are rarely overworked and often convey a sense of the subject’s energy via impressionistic flourishes.

Halkett is represented at the Municipal Museum of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean.

1856

Born in Molenbeek-St-Jean, Belgium. His father was a sugar refiner of Scottish descent.

Studied at the Molenbeek-St-Jean School of Art.

1877-1880

Studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, Brussels to study under Jean-François Portaels (1818-1895) and Joseph Stallaert (1825-1903).

1883

Exhibited at the Paris Salon.

1885

Exhibited at the Paris Salon gaining an honourable mention.

1887

Exhibited at the Paris Salon.

1888

Married Clémence Dubois.

Exhibited at the Paris Salon.

1889

Exhibited at the World Fair in Paris winning a silver medal.

Exhibited at the Paris Salon.

1890

Birth of daughter, Lucie (1890).

Exhibited at the Paris Salon.

1892

Exhibited at the Paris Salon.

1894

Birth of daughter, Alice (1894).

1910

Exhibited at the World Fair, Brussels.

1914

Lived in Great Britain during the First World War.

1921

Died in Brussels, Belgium.