Jef Marie Thomas Lambeaux

Lambeaux, born in Antwerp, studied at the Antwerp Academy of Fine Arts. His first work, War, was exhibited in 1871. He produced a series of humorous groups leading up to The Kiss (1881), generally considered his masterpiece. He created a number of fountain pieces and numerous busts of important Belgian political figures. He was best known, however, for his erotic works, which drew a fair amount of controversy in the 19th century. His Temple of Human Passions, exhibited at the Ghent salon in 1889, was publically bashed over its content, deemed lustful and improper by much of Belgian society. Regardless, Lambeaux is remembered for his sensually evocative style.