Experience

TRAIN WORLD | ‘Draw me a train’ design and architecture exhibition from 19 September 2024

Posted by Timothy on

Belgium‘s national train and rail museum Train World in Schaerbeek (Schaarbeek) in Brussels proposes a new temporary exhibition: ‘Draw me a train‘ (‘Van schets tot trein‘,’Dessine-moi un train‘). The exhibition opens on Thursday 19 September 2024 and closes on Sunday 11 May 2025.

This new exhibition will highlight the work of some of the greatest artists who, in their time, expressed the beauty of trains in their work: Victor Horta, Henry van de Velde, Paul Delvaux, Franquin, Santiago Calatrava, François Schuiten and many others, the website says. 

The occasion will see original drawings by Victor Horta relating to his work on the Brussels-Central Railway Station displayed to the public for the first time. Cars dating from the 1930s, designed by Henry van de Velde, have also been restored specially for the occasion and will be the subject of an exclusive presentation.

At drawing tables and easels located throughout the exhibition route, visitors will be able to learn how to draw some of our most beautiful trains, or a selection of remarkable and unusual objects from NMBS / SNCB‘s collections. 

“So you can experience for yourself the pleasure these great artists felt through their contact with the world of the railways.”

Accompanying book

During the first half of the 20th century, Victor Horta and Henry van de Velde were the two greatest Belgian architects of Art Nouveau. 

But they also worked for the Belgian railways. Horta spent more than thirty years designing Brussels-Central, although he would never see its realisation. Using unseen and unpublished archive documents, we follow the development and difficult process of this project, which would have no fewer than three different designs.

In the 1930s, the NMBS/ SNCB was at a crossroads. The railways (and their institution) had to modernise. A piece of cake for Henry van de Velde, who was entrusted with this modernisation project and the construction of new carriages. The innovation he applied ensured greater comfort for all travellers. 

During his life, Van de Velde would also contribute to the plans and realisation of various stations, all in a resolutely modernist style.

This book is produced under the auspices of Train World and accompanies the exhibition ‘Dram me a train’. Major Art Nouveau specialists Françoise Aubry and Anne Van Loo are the authors. 

This book is a co-edition of NMBS / SNCB, Train World and Uitgeverij Snoeck, in collaboration with the Horta Museum in Brussels. For sale in the Train World bookshop.

Who was Victor Horta?

Victor Horta was a groundbreaking Belgian architect, often hailed as the father of Art Nouveau. His innovative use of materials like steel and glass, combined with organic, flowing lines inspired by nature, revolutionized architecture and interior design.  

Born in Ghent in 1861, Horta’s most iconic works are found in Brussels, where he created masterpieces such as the Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel Van Eetvelde, and the Maison du Peuple. These buildings are characterized by their curved forms, intricate ironwork, and a sense of unity between interior and exterior spaces.  

Horta’s influence extended beyond architecture. He was also a talented designer, creating furniture, lighting, and decorative objects that complemented his buildings. His work continues to inspire architects and designers worldwide. 

Horta died in Brussels in 1947.

Who was Henry Van de Velde?  

Henry van de Velde was a pioneering Belgian artist whose influence extended far beyond his native country. 

Born in 1863 in Antwerp, he was a multifaceted talent, excelling as a painter, architect, designer, and influential theorist. A key figure in the Art Nouveau movement, alongside contemporaries like Victor Horta, van de Velde’s work was characterized by organic forms and a holistic approach to art and design. 

He was instrumental in shaping the Art Nouveau style in Germany and other parts of Europe. His work evolved over time, and he is also credited as a precursor to modernism, emphasizing function and utility in his designs. Beyond his artistic endeavors, he was a prolific writer and theorist on art and design.

His impact on architecture, interior design, and product design was profound. As his career evolved, he became a precursor to modernism, emphasizing function and utility. Van de Velde’s legacy is evident in the work of countless artists and designers who followed in his footsteps. 

Some say he designed the NMBS / SNCB logo. Others say he worked on a design by an NMBS / SNCB employee. 

He died 1957.

The NMBS / SNCB logo on a Siemens Desiro in its Belgian grey livery.

Victor versus Henry

The relationship between Henry van de Velde and Victor Horta was complex.  

Both were undeniably pioneers of Art Nouveau, but their artistic paths diverged significantly over time. While they initially shared a common ground in their admiration for organic forms and the total artwork concept, their philosophies about design and architecture evolved differently.  

Horta is often seen as the more flamboyant and decorative of the two, while van de Velde’s work became increasingly functional and minimalist. These diverging styles led to a certain degree of professional rivalry. Some accounts suggest that Horta was particularly critical of van de Velde’s self-taught approach to architecture.  

Railway and transport museums