Le Sillon

Le Sillon was an artists' association in Brussels, which can be seen as the successor of the art circle Forward. This artists' association mainly consisted of former students of the Brussels Academy. Le Sillon was intended as a counter-movement to Neo-Impressionism and Symbolism. The members of Le Sillon wanted to return to solid painting as in the past. For this they looked to the rich Flemish realistic tradition. The Spanish painter Velázquez was one of their great examples. Originally they painted in dark, gloomy but rich colours, but their touch soon became lighter.