Although not often mentioned in the Luxembourg art scene, Berthe Brincour is a notable Luxembourgish artist of the 19th and 20th centuries. During her lifetime, her ink, oil, and pencil paintings were repeatedly displayed at European exhibitions.
Over the years, the artist quietly slipped into obscurity. Now, around 80 years after her death, the National Museum is honouring her work with a solo exhibition running until January 2027
Various departments of the National Museum have collaborated to organise this exhibition, including the Conservation and Restoration Service, the Fine Arts Service, and the Luxembourg Art Archive.
Born in 1879 in Luxembourg, Berthe Brincour was one of three children. Raised by her mother, Marie Huber, and her father, lawyer and Member of Parliament Joseph Brincour, she had the means and opportunity to pursue a career as an artist, unlike many other women of the time.
Following her studies at the Damen-Akademie in Munich from 1899 to 1905, Brincour settled in Dachau, where she lived from 1903 to 1907. During this period, she painted Bavarian landscapes, a popular genre among artists of the time, and received considerable acclaim for her work.
It was only later in her career that she developed a distinctive artistic style.
Throughout her career, Brincour regularly exhibited her work at the Cercle Artistique de Luxembourg and held solo exhibitions in Paris. An avid traveller, she found inspiration across Europe, particularly in Switzerland, where she produced many of her best-known ink paintings.
After years of travelling and working abroad, she returned to Luxembourg in 1941. Brincour died in 1947 at the age of 68. She never married and had no children.
Upon entering the exhibition, visitors are greeted by a selection of landscape paintings and personal items from Brincour's private collection. Many of her works were donated to the City of Luxembourg following her death in 1947 and later became part of the national art archive.
To further enrich the exhibition, the National Museum also appealed to private collectors for additional pieces by the artist.
As visitors make their way through the exhibition, they will quickly notice that Berthe Brincour was interested not only in landscapes, but in the human body too.
According to exhibition curator Lis Hausemer, Luxembourg writer Batty Weber once spoke of a 'stylised realism' in these works. Indeed, Brincour's figurative depictions are unmistakably human and contain clear elements of realism. Yet, the works also posess a softness, primarily expressed through the colours.
This contrast is particularly evident in a series of nude male figures shown in states of suffering. The men are often painted in unnatural poses, stretching or bending, with their muscles and joints detailed with great precision.
These figurative works mark a turning point in the artist's career, being considerably more expressive than her earlier landscape paintings.
It remains unclear whether the artist worked from live models or relied on her imagination when creating these figures. In general, little is known about Brincour’s working methods or artistic intentions.
What makes these works particularly compelling is that initial sketches are displayed alongside the finished paintings in the exhibition, offering a rare insight into her creative process.
Finally, visitors enter a room displaying a series of ink paintings. Brincour lived in Geneva from 1919 to 1924, and in Lausanne from 1931 to 1934. During these periods, she used Indian ink extensively to create her artwork. These ink paintings were likely created later in her career and were first exhibited during a solo exhibition in Paris in 1928.
The works depict Swiss mountains and rivers and combine ink with pen and watercolour. This is the largest series in her collection and is often the body of work most closely associated with Brincour. Her ink paintings are frequently compared to Japanese art, although the exact influence remains unclear.
Berthe Brincour was a versatile artist who did not limit herself to one style. She primarily focused on landscapes, portraits and ink paintings. The National Museum's exhibition presents a retrospective of almost 70 years of work by the Luxembourgish artist, showcasing her unique style.
The exhibition is open daily (except Mondays) until 10 January 2027.
