Hankar, Paul-Jean-Joseph

(1859-1901)

   Architect Paul Hankar was born on 11 December 1859 in Frameries, in the province of Hainault. He studied and collaborated with Henri Beyaert from 1879 until the latter's death in 1894. Influenced by Victor Horta, Hankar produced works that displayed characteristics typical of art nouveau, most especially decorative tracings and intricately arched lines. His designs include the Zegers-Regnard building (avenue Louise, 1894), the Magasins Clasens (rue de l'Écuyer, 1896), the Niguel Shirt Shop (rue Royale, 1899), and a host of houses in Brussels, Ixelles, and Saint-Gilles. The shop front for the floral shop at rue Royale 13, designed in 1898, is the city's sole surviving art nouveau shop window. Hankar left an unfinished scheme for a "Cité des Artistes" when he died in Saint-Gilles on 17 January 1901.

   See also Architecture.