Paul Hankar: The Pioneering Spirit of Belgian Art Nouveau Paul Hankar (December 11, 1859 – January 17, 1901) stands as a pivotal figure in the history of Belgian art and architecture, inextricably linked to the flourishing movement known as Art Nouveau. Born in Frameries, Hainaut, Belgium—the son of a stonemason—Hankar’s formative years instilled within him an appreciation for craftsmanship and material innovation that would profoundl…