Charles Louis Verboeckhoven was born in the Flemish town of Comine-Warneton in 1802 into an artistic family. His father, Barthélemy, was a sculptor and his older brother, Eugène, was an animal painter, both of whom provided his first artistic training. In 1815, the family moved to Ghent, where he developed an interest in marine painting and came under the influence of Frans Balthasar Solvyns.
In 1827, along with his father and brother, he established a studio in Brussels and, that same year, exhibited two paintings (“Angry Sea” and “Calm Sea”) at the local Salon. His work enjoyed immediate popularity. In 1830, however, he turned from painting, becoming involved in the political events that led to the independence of Belgium. He and Eugène both joined the “Korps Jagers van Chasteler” (named after Johann Gabriel Chasteler de Courcelles) and participated in several military actions during the Revolution seeking Belgium’s independence from Holland.
Afterward, his life was essentially a round of exhibitions, including the “Triennial Salons” of Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp and smaller salons in the provinces; punctuated by frequent trips to the coasts of the Netherlands, France and England. By 1837, he appears to have been living in Antwerp. Later, he concentrated on selling his paintings abroad.
After 1842, he used brighter colors and his style became more realistic. Very often, the foreground figures were provided by his brother, who reportedly performed the same service for several well-known landscape painters. Many of his works are set in small harbors along the Schelde, which have since disappeared and cannot be identified with any certainty.
Toward the end of his career, he was appointed a member of the Rijksakademie. His son, Louis (1827-1884), was also a painter.
This particular work dates to the 1860’s and is typical for its drama and attention to detail. Other works by Verboeckhoven are housed in museums throughout Europe including those in Cherbourg, Leipzig and Antwerp.
Lit; E. Benezit