The construction of the Palace of Justice of Brussels, the largest single building erected during the 19th century, remains the most significant commission of Joseph Poelaert. This massive undertaking shaped his career and defined his legacy in his native city, even as it sparked enduring controversy among local residents displaced during the project’s development in the Marolles neighbourhood.
Early Training and Career
Born in Brussels on 21 March 1817 to Philip Poelaert, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels starting in 1836. His formal education included training under Tilman-François Suys in Brussels, followed by studies in Paris with Louis Visconti and Jean-Nicolas Huyot. His professional trajectory gained momentum in 1849 when he won the competition to design the Congress Column. He served as the city architect of Brussels from 1856 to 1860, receiving the Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1856 and later becoming an Officer of the Legion of Honour in 1859.
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Poelaert was responsible for several high-profile structures across Brussels. His portfolio included the Church of St. Catherine, built between 1854 and 1874, and the Church of Our Lady of Laeken, constructed from 1854 to 1909, which eventually housed the Royal Crypt. Following the fire of 1855, he oversaw the restoration of the Royal Theatre of La Monnaie between 1855 and 1857.
The Palace of Justice Controversy
The Palace of Justice, built between 1866 and 1883, required the demolition of a portion of the Marolles area. Despite living on the Rue des Minimes near his workshops, Poelaert faced severe public backlash for the project. The intensity of this resentment was such that the term skieven architek, or crooked architect, became a common insult in the local dialect directed toward him.
Marriage and Final Years
On 25 August 1859, he married Léonie Toussaint, the daughter of a notary public and former Member of Parliament, Joseph Ferdinand Toussaint. In 1874, he retired to a villa located at the Grande Grille in Laeken. He died on 3 November 1879 and was interred at the Laeken Cemetery beneath a structure modeled after his major judicial project.
Fast facts
- Born: 21 March 1817, Brussels
- Died: 3 November 1879, Brussels
- Citizenship: Belgium
- Primary Field: Architecture
- City Architect Tenure: 1856-1860
- Spouse: Léonie Toussaint
- Burial Site: Laeken Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What is Joseph Poelaert's most famous work?
His most significant project is the Palace of Justice of Brussels, which was the largest single building constructed in the 19th century.
Why was Poelaert criticized by the people of the Marolles?
The demolition of their neighborhood for the construction of the Palace of Justice led to significant public resentment and the derogatory nickname skieven architek.
