Monk Feeding the Poor (Louis Gallait)

Louis Gallait (1810–1887) was a prominent Belgian painter and one of the leading figures in the 19th-century revival of history painting in Belgium. Known for his carefully researched costume detail, rich coloration, and emotionally charged scenes.  Alongside public commissions, he also distinguished himself as a skilled portrait painter, admired for his sensitive characterization and refined technique.

Gallait was born on 9 or 10 May 1810 in Tournai, in the province of Hainaut. His artistic training began in his hometown under Philippe Auguste Hennequin, after which he quickly demonstrated notable talent. His first major work, Tribute to Caesar, won a prize at the Salon of Ghent in 1832, marking his early emergence on the Belgian art scene.
Seeking further development, Gallait studied in Antwerp with Mathieu Ignace van Brée and exhibited Christ Healing the Blind at the Brussels Salon the following year. The painting was purchased by public subscription and installed in the Cathedral of Tournai, bringing him considerable attention.

Gallait subsequently traveled to Paris, where he honed his skills and developed his style. He submitted several historical works to Belgian exhibitions.

Following this success, Gallait settled in Brussels, where he received official patronage and became a central figure in the cultural life of the newly independent Belgian state.

The celebrated critic Théophile Gautier wrote of Gallait: “M. Gallait has all the gifts that may be acquired by work, taste, judgment and determination.” Gallait’s dramatic instinct, painterly skill, and dedication to historical accuracy earned him admiration, though later critics noted a tendency toward sentimentality typical of mid-19th-century taste. As a favored artist of the Belgian state, he exerted significant influence on public commissions and academic instruction, shaping artistic preferences in Brussels for many years.

Gallait continued to paint prestigious historical and portrait works throughout his career and remained a respected figure in Belgian artistic circles until his death in Brussels in 1887.