Pierre Olivier Joseph Coomans

1816 – 1889

Belgian painter of genre and historical scenes. He was student of Pieter van Hanselaere (1786-1862) of Ghent, and Nicaise de Keyser (1813-1887) and Gustaf Wappers (1803-1874) in Antwerp Academy. On completion of his studies he embarked on a working tour of the Near East and North Africa, journeying first to Algeria followed by sorties into Morocco and Arabia. He traveled to Italy, Turkey, Greece, and the Crimea. During this time he executed historical subjects. In 1857 he visited Italy, and became interested in the excavations of ancient Pompeii. From then on he became interested in ancient images that made him famous and rich. He exhibited his works many times at the Paris Salon. He had two daughters, both became painters.

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