L'Essor

L'Essor was an artists' association active in Brussels. The founders were progressives who wanted to oppose academism and had a preference for realistic art. In addition to Brussels, they also organized exhibitions in Antwerp, Ostend and London. They also acted as an interest group that forced favorable prices from suppliers of art materials. After a disagreement in 1883, some artists joined Les Vingt. This was due to L'Essor's lack of programming. In 1892 a group also split from L'Essor and formed the Pour L'Art association. L'Essor's objective was to organize exhibitions of members' work.