Copyright This work is in the public domain. Henri Bource died in 1899; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1969.
In context
The Return — Henri Bource
The original measures 176 × 260 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height. It is too large to draw to scale on this page.
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 73 at death.
Painted when the artist was 52. The artist lived to 73. 2 of the 3 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Henri Bource (1826–1899) ▲ this work, 1878 every dated painting, decade by decade
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
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Measured from the image
Main colour
Phthalo Green #312823
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
Artist and museum
Born in Antwerp, Belgium
Born in the city of Antwerp, Belgium, in 1826, Henri Bource was destined to follow the traditions of his homeland. His early years were shaped by the rigorous academic environment of the Koninklijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten van Antwerpen. It was within these walls that he first learned to command the brush, guided by the hands of Edward Dujardin, Josephus Laurentius Dyckmans, and Gustave Wappers. These mentors provided him with a foundation in the classical disciplines, preparing him for the ambitions that would eventually lead him far from the familiar streets of his birth.
The hunger for greater knowledge eventually drew him toward the lights of Paris. During the years 1856 and 1857, he sought to refine his technique in the French capital, immersing himself in the atmosphere of a different artistic world. He found his way into the atelier of Ary Scheffer, where his studies continued and his vision began to expand. This period of intense training in Paris allowed him to absorb new perspectives, blending the disciplined instruction of his Belgian teachers with the evolving sensibilities of the French school. By the time he returned from his travels, the young painter had transformed from a student into a man with a distinct and practiced hand.
Bource’s brush sought the dignity found in many facets of human existence, moving between the grandiosity of history and the quietude of the individual. In his early years, he applied himself to the study of portraits and the dramatic narratives of history, capturing the essence of his subjects with a careful hand. As his vision matured, his interests expanded into the natural world, where he found inspiration in landscapes and the restless movement of marine scenes. He possessed a keen eye for the way light and water interacted, a skill that would later define much of his output.
The artist was a man of movement, driven by a desire to witness the diverse landscapes of Europe firsthand. He sought out the ruggedness of Norway and the mist of Scotland, finding much to observe in the northern reaches. His wanderings took him through the mountains of Switzerland and the ancient streets of Italy, while his travels also brought him to Germany, the Netherlands, France, and England. These excursions were not merely for leisure but were essential studies that informed the depth of his compositions.
By the 1870s, a specific devotion began to emerge in his work, drawing him toward the coastal life of the people. He became deeply preoccupied with the everyday lives of fishermen and the families who waited upon the shore. This shift from the grand historical stage to the intimate, salt-sprayed reality of maritime communities allowed him to capture a sense of human perseverance. He found a particular resonance in the domestic struggles and quiet joys of those whose lives were dictated by the tides.
The brush of Henri Bource often turned toward the quiet, heavy moments of human existence. He found a particular grace in depicting the everyday life of fisherman and their families, capturing the stillness that exists between the tides. In his work Fisherman's Wife Praying for a Happy Return, one senses the weight of waiting and the silent hope of those left on the shore. This devotion to the domestic and the maritime is further seen in Vissersvrouw Met Haar Kinderen, where the presence of family becomes a central pillar of the scene.
His interest in the people of the coast extended to the young and the simple. He painted Zwei Mädchen in Belgischer Tracht Am Strand and Zeeuws Meisje Met Mand Op Het Strand, works that focused on the specific textures of local life and the dignity of traditional dress. These subjects allowed him to explore the relationship between character and landscape. He did not merely paint a setting; he painted the people who belonged to it.
Beyond these grounded scenes of coastal life, Bource also explored more allegorical territory. His painting Spring Personified moved away from the salt and sand of the shoreline to embrace a more symbolic representation of the season. Through such works, he demonstrated a versatility that allowed him to navigate between the harsh realities of a fisherman's life and the more poetic interpretations of nature. Whether through a portrait or a landscape, his hand remained focused on the tangible details of the world around him.
On show in Antwerp, Belgium
The origins of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp reach back to the late 14th century, rooted in the holdings of the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke. This guild, which included painters, sculptors, and goldsmiths, remained active until 1773. The collection was eventually inherited by the academy, forming the nucleus of what would become a public institution. The formal establishment of the museum occurred on 5 May 1810, when Napoleon founded it by imperial decree. This period of transition saw the collection move from private guild ownership toward a structured public repository.
The early years of the institution were marked by significant shifts in the movement of art. By 1817, the museum's catalogue listed 127 items. This collection grew substantially following the Battle of Waterloo; on 5 December 1815, a large proportion of works that had been looted during the French occupation arrived back in Antwerp by train. These returned pieces, many of them by Rubens, helped solidify the museum's foundation. The presence of these works ensured that the lineage of Flemish art remained centered within the city's walls.
The Antwerp Crucifixion, 1475
Portrait of Philip de Croy, 15th century
The structure occupies a prominent position in Antwerp’s Zuid district, a neoclassical presence designed by Jean-Jacques Winders and Frans Van Dijk. Construction began in 1884, with the building opening to the public in 1890 and reaching completion in 1894. The architecture adheres to classical ideals of harmony and order, creating a sense of permanence within the urban landscape. The façade features intricate sculptures and medallions that honor celebrated artists, turning the exterior into a visual tribute to the creative lineage housed within.
The museum is situated within gardens that are bounded by streets named after various artistic disciplines. These thoroughfares, such as Schildersstraat and Beeldhouwersstraat, reinforce the connection between the institution and the disciplines of painting and sculpture. The building's design does not merely contain the art; the architecture participates in the experience, providing a structured environment that complements the works on display. The recent renovations have expanded these spaces, integrating modern elements into the historical setting while preserving the original neoclassical character.
The collection encompasses more than 20,000 artworks, reflecting the artistic production and the specific tastes of art enthusiasts in Antwerp, Belgium, and the Northern and Southern Netherlands since the 15th century. These holdings provide a panorama of various artistic styles and movements, spanning from the fourteenth to the twentieth centuries. The breadth of the selection allows for a direct encounter with the evolution of regional expression, from the meticulousness of the Early Netherlandish period to the dramatic energy of the Baroque and the detailed compositions of the Dutch Golden Age.
The presence of these works offers a continuous line of visual history. One finds the quiet precision of earlier eras alongside the more experimental approaches of later centuries. The museum holds significant pieces that illustrate the shifting priorities of Flemish painters over hundreds of years. Each work exists as a physical record of the era in which it was produced, maintaining a dialogue between the historical traditions of the Low Countries and the developments of the modern age.
The Antwerp Crucifixion, 1475
The goal of things
Oasis, 1912
The presence of Peter Paul Rubens is felt throughout the galleries, where his dynamic compositions and use of color command the space. His works exist alongside the revolutionary oil paintings of Jan van Eyck, such as Saint Barbara and Madonna at the Fountain. These pieces possess a luminous quality and a level of detail that defined the course of art history. Nearby, the spiritual weight of the 15th century is felt in Rogier van der Weyden’s Seven Sacraments Altarpiece, a work that invites quiet contemplation on mortality and redemption.
The collection extends through the centuries, gathering the diverse expressions of Flemish art. The works of Hans Memling and Jacob Jordaens contribute to this long lineage of technical precision. Later, the expressive energy of James Ensor introduces a different kind of intensity to the halls. This continuity allows for a direct encounter with the evolution of the region's creative spirit, from the meticulousness of the Early Netherlandish masters to the bold experimentation of later eras.
The dialogue between historical tradition and modern vision continues into the 20th century. The museum holds works by René Magritte and Pierre Alechinsky, placing contemporary innovation within the same walls that house the old masters. This proximity creates a space where the history of painting is not a closed chapter but a continuous presence.
The Daughters of Cecrops finding the child Erichthonius, about 1617 - Jacob Jordaens
The Antwerp Crucifixion, 1475 - Antonello Da Messina
Portrait of Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy, 1520 - Bernard Van Orley
The museum reopened in 2022 following an extensive eleven-year renovation. This significant undertaking, spearheaded by the architectural firm KAAN Architecten, sought to integrate contemporary functionality within the historical framework. A new extension was constructed within the existing structure, utilizing a four-story steel skeleton to create a vertical museum. This structural addition allows for a seamless transition between different eras of art. To support the preservation of the collection, a state-of-the-art new depot was built outside the city.
The updated layout includes a dedicated hall for modern art, ensuring that contemporary works are given space alongside the historical holdings. Within the galleries, the implementation of advanced lighting technology, such as Tunable White LEDs, allows for precise control over color temperature. This technical precision ensures that the specific details and colors of the paintings are presented under optimal conditions. The architecture facilitates a dialogue between the neoclassical exterior and the modern interior spaces.
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Look closely
The Return — Henri Bource
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
"The Return" measures 175.5 x 260.0cm in its original form. Original dimensions are a useful reference when choosing a reproduction size.
The perceived brightness of "The Return" by Henri Bource is shadow. It can be matched to the light of the intended space.
The copyright status of "The Return" by Henri Bource is clear: the work is in the public domain - its copyright has expired. Its presence at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp does not change that status.