Building a Dream. The Maison Hannon
Lecture by Grégory Van Aelbrouck (Maison Hannon)
Is the Maison Hannon simply a residence, or a symbolic universe? How do its architectural choices reflect a search for harmony between art, science, and spirituality? And what do its frescoes, stained‑glass windows, and materials reveal about the ideals of the Hannon family?
The Maison Hannon, built between 1902 and 1904, is far more than an Art Nouveau home: it appears as a world rich in symbols. Monumental frescoes, gilded stained glass, sacred geometry, alchemical motifs: every element suggests an initiatory journey and an aspiration to unite matter and spirit. The role of architect Jules Brunfaut, the influence of the School of Nancy and Émile Gallé, and the presence of ancient and Neoplatonic references raise important questions. Are they mere decorative choices, or the expression of a deeper philosophical vision? And how do these choices reflect the values of the Hannon family, between science, art and social commitment?
This lecture proposes to examine the Maison Hannon as a total work of art, and as an implicit portrait of the Hannon couple.
Lecture in French.
About the speaker
Grégory Van Aelbrouck is a historian, graduated from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). He is the first director‑curator of the Maison Hannon and oversees its revival as a museum dedicated to the decorative arts and fin‑de‑siècle Symbolism.