Louis Clesse Art
Belgian, 1889-1961
Louis Liévin Théophile Clesse (Ixelles, Brussels, 15 June 1889 – 9 February 1961) was a Belgian Post-Impressionist and Realist painter, aquarellist, and etcher, renowned for his atmospheric landscapes, maritime scenes, still lifes, and portraits. His work is marked by a lyrical use of light and colour, expressive brushwork, and a deep sensitivity to mood and place.
Born into a modest family in Ixelles, he was the youngest of eight children. His father, François Auguste Clesse, was an upholsterer, and his mother, Augustine Josèphe Leduc, maintained a close-knit household. Louis was introduced to art at an early age by his older brother Theo, who worked as chief assistant in the decorative painting studio of Paul Hermanus.
Clesse studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ixelles, where he excelled and received numerous awards, including the prestigious government medal in 1904. He went on to work for the Hermanus firm, producing decorative panels and copies of old masters—an experience that sharpened his technical skills and observational eye.
While initially rooted in realism, Clesse’s exposure to artists such as Alfred Bastien and Emile Claus led him toward a more expressive, emotional style. His goal was not to reproduce nature, but to convey its essence through bold colour harmonies and textured, painterly compositions.
He debuted at the Brussels Triennial Salon in 1907 and regularly exhibited throughout Belgium (Antwerp, Liège, Charleroi, Mons) and abroad (Barcelona, Nice). He was an active participant in the Belgian art scene, contributing to journals like Revue de l’Art Belge and Savoir et Beauté.
Clesse’s favourite subjects included the woodlands and ponds of Auderghem—where he summered and became an honorary citizen in 1959—the Zenne Valley, the Sonian Forest, and the coastal landscapes of West Flanders, particularly around Ostend, Nieuwpoort, and Zeebrugge. Between 1928 and 1932, he also painted extensively along the northern French coast from Petit-Fort-Philippe. In the 1930s, he established a studio in Oudenburg, which became a base for his explorations of the Flemish polders and Bruges.
His style is often described as a personal blend of Realism and Impressionism, deeply inspired by Franz Courtens, Isidore Verheyden, and especially Emile Claus. Clesse’s plein-air approach—even on large canvases—was often refined in the studio, lending his works both spontaneity and polish.
In addition to landscapes and seascapes, he painted still lifes with game and poultry—drawing from his love of hunting—as well as portraits and figure studies. His art reflects a deep connection to nature and an appreciation for seasonal light.
Clesse was a longtime member of the Cercle Artistique et Littéraire (Cercle Gaulois), served on the acquisition committee of the Ixelles Museum, and co-founded the Cercle d’Art d’Ixelles. In 1942, an avenue in Auderghem was named in his honour during his lifetime.
He died in Ixelles in 1961. His grave is adorned with a sculpted portrait by René Cliquet. Today, his work is found in numerous public and private collections in Belgium and worldwide.to
1
1
2
2
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
6
2
1
4
1
6
2
1
1
1
1
6
6
3
3
2
6
8,816
2,808
1,655
1,313
6
5
1
Artist: Louis Clesse
Louis Clesse (1889-1961) - Mid 20th Century Oil, Study of the Harbour
By Louis Clesse
Located in Corsham, GB
An atmospheric impressionist study by the artist Louis Clesse (1889-1961) depicting boats at the harbour. Signed to the lower left. Well presented in a gilt frame. On board.
Category
20th Century Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Oil
“Port of Ostend, Belgium”
By Louis Clesse
Located in Southampton, NY
Beautiful oil on mahogany panel painting of the bustling Port of Ostend in Belgium by Louis Clesse. Signed lower right and dated 1942. Titled verso and signed again by the artist ve...
Category
1940s Post-Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Oil, Panel
$2,800 Sale Price
26% Off
Trompe L’Oeil with a Two Partridges, Louis Clesse, Brussels 1889 – 1961, Belgian
By Louis Clesse
Located in Knokke, BE
Trompe L’Oeil with a Two Partridges
Clesse Louis
Brussels 1889 – 1961
Belgian Painter
Signature: Signed bottom right
Medium: Oil on panel
Dimensions: Image size 50,50 x 40 cm, frame size 64 x 53,50 cm
Biography: Clesse Louis Liévin Théophile was born on June 15, 1889 in Ixelles (Brussels). He was a Belgian Post-Impressionist and Realist painter of landscapes, seascapes, still lifes and portraits.
He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels. He received advice and encouragement from master teachers and artists Alfred Bastien...
Category
Early 20th Century Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Oil, Panel
'Along the Path, Oudenburg' by Louis Clesse (1889 – Brussels – 1961)
By Louis Clesse
Located in Knokke, BE
Louis Clesse
1889 – Brussels – 1961
Belgian Painter
'Along the Path, Oudenburg'
Signature: signed lower right 'Louis Clesse'
Medium: oil on canvas
Dimensions: image size 80 x 100 c...
Category
Early 20th Century Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Wintertime forest landscape oil painting on canvas by Louis Clesse 20Th c.
By Louis Clesse
Located in Gavere, BE
"Wintertime forest landscape" oil painting on canvas by Louis Clesse 20Th c.
Wonderfull oil on canvas by Louis Clesse , Belgian School (1889 -1961 ).
Clesse was a Belgian figurative...
Category
1920s Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
"Le Rouge Cloitre sous la neige" oil painting on canvas by Louis Clesse 20Th c.
By Louis Clesse
Located in Gavere, BE
"Le Rouge Cloitre sous la neige" oil painting on canvas by Louis Clesse 20Th c.
Wonderfull oil on canvas by Louis Clesse , Belgian School (1889 -1961 ).
Clesse was a Belgian figurat...
Category
1920s Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Related Items
"Family Meeting, " Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Clyde Steadman's "Family Meeting" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts four rubber ducks gathered together
Category
2010s American Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Oil
"Bird Man" (2025) by Shawn Sullivan, Original Animal Oil Portrait Painting
By Shawn Sullivan
Located in Denver, CO
Shawn Sullivan's (US Based) "Bird Man" is a playful, original, handmade oil painting in the trompe-l'œil style that depicts a white breasted bird with a yellow head standing up strai...
Category
2010s Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Oil, Panel
$240 Sale Price
20% Off
H 6 in W 6 in D 1 in
"Place de Abbesses" Naturalistic Painting City Paris Street Montmarte in Spring
By Manfred Rapp
Located in Austin, TX
Oil on Canvas
canvas size: 8 x 10 in.
frame size: 13 x 15 in.
"Place de Abbesses" is a illustrative, plein air, city street scene featuring historic Montmarte, a Paris neighborhood ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Impressionist:, School of Pierre Bonnard, signed oil 1950's
Located in Frome, Somerset
A fine large oil, school of Pierre Bonnard. circa 1950's.
oil on canvas 55cmx75cm
The original wood and textured gesso frame 72cmx92cm
Titled 'On the Window Sill'.
Indistinctly sign...
Category
1930s Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Oil
$669 Sale Price
62% Off
H 28.35 in W 36.23 in D 2.37 in
1970's French Oil Painting Crab & Fish on Kitchen Table ideal Fish Restaurant!
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Fish Supper
signed by Georges Bordonave (French contemporary)
dated 1978
oil painting on board, unframed
board: 17 x 20 inches
condition: very good
provenance: from a large private c...
Category
Late 20th Century Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Oil
Hunting Still Life oil on canvas painting
By Josep Serrasanta
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Title of the Artwork: Hunting Still Life
Artist: Josep Serrasanta (1916-1998)
Technique: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 39.37 x 31.89 in
Date: 1949
Artistic Movement: Romantic Realism wit...
Category
1940s Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$1,067 Sale Price
40% Off
H 39.38 in W 31.89 in
Figure in Sunset French Village Lane Well Listed Impressionist Artist, oil
By Elie Anatole Pavil
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Village Lane
by Elie Anatole Pavil (Ukraine 1873-1944)
signed
oil on canvas, unframed
13 x 18 inches
private collection, France
the painting is in overall very good and sound con...
Category
Early 20th Century Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$3,219
H 13 in W 18 in D 1 in
Le hameau en ete - Post Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting by Victor Charreton
By Victor Charreton
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed oil on panel landscape circa 1930 by French post impressionist painter Victor Charreton. This stunning work depicts a view of a French hamlet in summer - the buildings in the ...
Category
1930s Post-Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Oil, Panel
$7,225
H 14.25 in W 21.5 in
"T Bird" (2025) by Shawn Sullivan, Original Animal Oil Portrait Painting
By Shawn Sullivan
Located in Denver, CO
Shawn Sullivan’s *"T Bird"* (2025) is an original, handmade oil painting on cradled panel that showcases the artist’s whimsical approach to surrealist imagery. Measuring 5 x 7 inches...
Category
2010s Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Oil, Panel
$300
H 6 in W 6 in D 1 in
Huge 20th Century French Signed Oil Fishing Boats in South of France Harbour
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/School: G. Lefevre, French School (20th Century), signed
Title: Fishing Ports Moored In A Southern Port, wonderful blue sea and sky colours with rising mountain beyond and gr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Oil, Canvas
$2,321
H 41 in W 45 in D 1 in
Lac du Bois de Boulogne - Fauvist Landscape Oil Painting by Louis Valtat
By Louis Valtat
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed fauvist oil on canvas laid on panel riverscape circa 1925 by French painter Louis Valtat. The work depicts a boat being rowed on the Bois de Boulogne lake in Paris, France. It...
Category
1920s Fauvist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Panel
Emile Chaumont (1877-1927) - Summer landscape in Dordogne
Located in BELEYMAS, FR
Emile CHAUMONT
(Perigueux 1877 - 1927)
Summer landscape in Périgord
Oil on panel
H. 32 cm; L. 41 cm
Signed lower left, dated 1912
Provenance: Private c...
Category
1910s Post-Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Oil, Panel
$1,422
H 12.6 in W 16.15 in
Previously Available Items
In January
By Louis Clesse
Located in Gent, VOV
A splendid snowscape by Louis Clesse which can easily bear comparison with the winter landscapes of Emile Claus in terms of atmosphere and appearance. Here...
Category
Early 20th Century Impressionist Louis Clesse Art
Materials
Oil, Board
Louis Clesse art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Louis Clesse art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Louis Clesse in oil paint, paint, panel and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Post-Impressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Louis Clesse art, so small editions measuring 26 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Leon Herbo, Elie Anatole Pavil, and Mogens Erik Christien Vantore. Louis Clesse art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,800 and tops out at $5,235, while the average work can sell for $4,517.