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Belgium

Queen Mathilde begins 2019 duties in Paris

Queen Mathilde of Belgium began her 2019 duties in Paris, France, yesterday. Her Majesty was in the French capital to visit the “Fernand Khnopff (1858-1921). Le maître de L’énigme” (or “Fernand Khnopff (1858-1921). The master of the enigma” in English) exhibit at the Petit Palais.

The Queen of Belgians attended as the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium worked in collaboration with Petit Palais to set up the exhibit on the Belgian painter.

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The Belgian Royal Palace explained that the display “shows around a hundred works by Khnopff, one of the most important and versatile artists of Symbolism in Belgium.”

“The exhibition offers an emblematic panorama of the unique aesthetic of Fernand Khnopff, painter, draftsman, engraver, sculptor and director of his work.⁣⁣”

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“Fernand Khnopff (1858-1921). Le maître de L’énigme” opened last month, and people can visit the display until 17 March of this year.

Paris holds about one hundred of Khnopff’s works. Khnopff was born on 12 September 1858 into a wealthy family. He would go on to receive orders from Belgium and France. He was a Commander of the Order of Leopold (Belgium) and an Officer of the Légion d’Honneur (France). King Albert I (the current King Philippe of the Belgian’s great-grandfather) awarded Khnopff with the Belgian order on 14 November 1919 by Royal Decree.

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The skilled artist died in Brussels at the age of 63 on 12 November 1921. He also has his pieces on display in the Netherlands, Hungary, Germany, Austria, United States, and of course, Belgium.

While the Queen was in France, King Philippe remained home in Belgium to attend to duties in Brussels. His Majesty was busy holding audiences with representatives from the Deloitte technology Fast 50 Competition, as well as General Claudio Graziano, the new president of the European Union Military Committee.

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The Belgian Royal Family just recently returned from a holiday in Egypt.

About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.