Emile Deckers Belge, 1885-1968

Belgian Orientalist painter, portraitist of Algeria

Born in 1885 in Ensival, Belgium, Émile Deckers studied at the Liège Academy of Fine Arts and later in Paris under Carolus-Duran and Évariste Carpentier. He earned prestigious awards in anatomy, painting, and historical composition and was appointed a young juror at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

In 1921, Deckers moved to Algiers, where he established a well-earned reputation as an Orientalist portraitist. He produced many large-scale portraits, often with multiple views, depicting Kabyle, Tuareg, and Saharan tribal figures with remarkable authenticity. He divided his time between Algeria, Belgium, and, from 1940, the Belgian Congo, eventually returning to Verviers, where he passed away in 1968.

A meticulous and prolific artist, Deckers recorded and signed each dated work. He completed over 1,000 portraits during his life. His body of work offers a respectful and insightful testimony to the diverse peoples and cultures of North Africa in the 20th century.