Architectural illustration project dedicated to a couple of the most beautiful houses and squares in Brussels.

Famous Art Nouveau houses in Brussels – Saint Cyr & Paul Cauchie

Saint-Cyr House, depicted in the middle, is one of the most extravagant Art Nouveau examples in Brussels. The house was built between 1900 and 1903 and was the home of artist and decorator Léonard de Saint-Cyr. It was designed by Brussels architect Gustave Strauwen, who was a student of the legendary Victor Horta. In 1905, architect and decorator Paul Cauchie builds and decorates in sgraffito technique his very own Art Nouveau house, with the help of his wife, painter Carolina Voet (Lina). Cauchie designed the front of the house with the intention of advertising and selling their work: sgraffito for him and art teaching for her.

Parrots of Brussels in Grand Place

Besides Art Nouveau architecture, Brussels is well-known for its stunning Grand Place, awesome fries and beer, and for its green wild parrots! Currently in Brussels are around 12000 wild parrots, gathering three species: Ring-necked Parakeet, Monk Parakeet, and Alexandrine Parakeet. The origin of the vast parrot colony is attributed to the release and escape from captivity of individuals throughout the last decades. My illustration depicts three Alexandrine parrots flying during nighttime over Grand Place while stealing some delicious Belgian fries! The Grand Place is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe with eclectic architecture from eras of Baroque, Gothic, and Louis XIV.

This illustration project was created in Adobe Illustrator, on a Wacom Cintiq 16 tablet, in a modern style with vintage inspiration (the stars), by using flat colours, block shading, grain textures, elegant strokes, and stylized shapes.

Because sharing is caring, you can DOWNLOAD FOR FREE the printable file featuring Famous Art Nouveau Houses in Brussels to create your own Christmas tree decorations!