Charles Swyncop

, Belgian

Swyncop was a pupil of the Academy in Brussels (1908-1917 and 1919-1920) and Alfred Bastien. By participating in the Contest Rome in 1920 he won the third prize. He studied in Rome in the iconography, the use of perspective and the study of the great masters.

In 1920 Swyncop assisted his mentor Alfred Bastien in the realization of the panoramic painting “Panorama de l’Yser”. Other assistant painters were Charles Leonard and Jef Bonheur, as Swyncop alumni of Bastien. The work took place in what became the Mosque of Brussels Half Centenary Complex was. First the IJzerpanormama was exhibited in the panorama building on the Boulevard Maurice Lemonnier in Brussels. Since 1924 got in Ostend an appropriate panorama building along the Vindictivelaan. The canvas was badly damaged during World War II.

Swyncop participated in a group exhibition at Maison d’Art Moderne ‘in Brussels in 1920 with Jean Colin, Philippe Swyncop, Arthur Navez, Milbauer Samuel L. Bishop’s, Jean-Jacques Gailliard and J. Payro.

He painted, commissioned by the Ministry of Colonies, decorative panels for the Universal Exhibition of 1930 in Antwerp.

Swyncop was a member of the group ‘La Lierre “and took part in their annual exhibitions (including the 30th salon in late 1935-early 1936 in Galerie Toison d’Or in Brussels). Other members of ‘La Lierre’ have included Alfred Bastien, Julius Brewers Louis Clesse, Henri De Clerck, Raymond De Meester (sculptor), Albert Geudens, Charles Gouweloos, Paul Masui, Pierre Theunis (sculptor) and Jean Van Looy.

He made in the years 1922-1923 study trips to Italy and Spain. He made portraits of local people. He regularly returned to Spain, where he painted landscapes, seascapes, figures and still lifes.

He was a teacher at the Art Academy of Ixelles 1938 until his death in 1970. Swyncop lived on Rue Wiertz 65 in Brussels.