Renowned Belgian artist Henri Privat-Livemont is primarily known for his sensuous art nouveau posters but also for producing some of the finest examples of ‘sgraffiti’ wall decor. He trained at the studios of Lemaire, Lavastre & Duvignaud in Paris and, during the early part of his career, undertook various decorative projects for prestigious Parisian patrons - both public and private.

He became a poster designer somewhat by chance after winning a competition in Schaerbeek and this defining moment led to him producing many of the most iconic designs of the period. He’s often compared with his eminent contemporary Alphonse Mucha. He’s represented in numerous public collections including at the V&A.

Exhibited

Paris Salon, Haarlem, Rotterdam.

Public Collections

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya in Barcelona, V&A Museum, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Art Museum at Rutgers University, Art Institute of Chicago.

Timeline

1861

Born in Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium. The son of a coal trader.

1873

Studied at the École des Arts Decoratifs in Sint-Joost-ten-Node under Louis Hendrickx.

1883-1889

Trained and worked in the studios of Lemaire, Lavastre & Duvignaud in Paris.
Assisted with the decor for the Theatre Français and the Hôtel de Ville, Paris.

Married the model Madeleine ‘Madelon’ Brown.

1889

Returned to Schaerbeek.
Won a poster design competition for the Cercle Artistique de Schaerbeek, a local art appreciation society. This provided the motivation to focus on posters.

Begins work as a draughtsman and correspondent for Le Monde Illustré. Also undertook some work for La Réforme.

1891-1935

Taught ‘Ornament, Figure and Ornamental Composition’ at the Josephat School for Drawing and Crafts.

1896

Designed a poster for Absinthe Robette, which is today regarded as one of the most iconic designs of the Art Nouveau period.

1897

Designed a poster for the Brussels International Exposition.

1900

Produced his first sgraffito, which is a wall decor technique. He would receive numerous accolades for sgraffiti, collaborating with various architects.

1904

Solo exhibition in Haarlem, The Netherlands.

1906

Solo exhibition in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

1936

Died in Schaerbeek.