L'Essor (artist group)

L'Essor was an artistic circle founded in Brussels, Belgium, in 1876. It served as a progressive alternative to the established Salon system, offering artists an independent venue to exhibit their work. L'Essor championed modern artistic tendencies and provided a platform for various styles, including Realism, Impressionism, and Symbolism. Key figures associated with L'Essor included James Ensor, Fernand Khnopff, Théo van Rysselberghe, and Jan Toorop, among others. The group aimed to foster artistic innovation and encourage dialogue between artists and the public. While not unified by a single aesthetic, L'Essor was influential in promoting avant-garde art in Belgium and contributed to the development of modern art movements. It dissolved in 1891.