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The 2 Most Famous Edgard Farasyn Paintings, Each One of a Kind
Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 3 works by Edgard Farasyn in our catalogue
In short
The Old Fish Market in Antwerp in 1882 (1882) is the Edgard Farasyn painting that draws the most eyes; the original belongs to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, Antwerp. Among the 3 works of Edgard Farasyn in our catalog, these 2 are the most famous, each a unique original presented with its year, its museum and the reason it endures.
1858 – 1938, Antwerp
Most works: Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp
Top 10 paintings by Edgard Farasyn, through the gallery's eye
The museums that keep Edgard Farasyn's originals
The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Edgard Farasyn | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp |
Antwerp | 1 | The Old Fish Market in Antwerp in 1882 |
 Laing Art Gallery |
Newcastle upon Tyne | 1 | Sad News |
Edgard Farasyn across the years: the unique originals of each
Every dated Edgard Farasyn original shown here was made in 3 years, between 1880 and 1882: year by year, here they are.
Works per year
Pick a year to see its originals.
Edgard Farasyn's paintings: questions for the gallery
What is the single most famous work of Edgard Farasyn?Reveal the answer
The Old Fish Market in Antwerp in 1882 (1882).
At what age did Edgard Farasyn create The Old Fish Market in Antwerp in 1882?Reveal the answer
24 years old: The Old Fish Market in Antwerp in 1882 dates from 1882, and Edgard Farasyn was born in 1858.
How many works by Edgard Farasyn are known?Reveal the answer
Our catalog holds 3 works by Edgard Farasyn, dated from 1880 to 1882.
Where can the most famous Edgard Farasyn originals be seen?Reveal the answer
Mostly in Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (Antwerp) and Laing Art Gallery (Newcastle upon Tyne). The museum table above lists them all.
Which famous Edgard Farasyn painting is the earliest, and which the latest?Reveal the answer
On this page, the earliest is Sad News (1880) and the latest The Old Fish Market in Antwerp in 1882 (1882).
Edgard Farasyn: a portrait of the artist
The Antwerp Academy and the Shift to Light
Antwerp, 1858. Edgard Pierre Jozef Farasyn enters a world of tradition. He begins his training at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Antwerp, working under the guidance of Nicaise de Keyser. The early years are defined by a specific focus: the delicate rendering of children. These initial works carry a heavy atmosphere, built from dark, sombre colors that weigh upon the canvas.
A change occurs in 1885. Farasyn moves into the role of teacher at the Academy, and with this professional shift comes a new way of seeing. He turns toward plein air painting. The studio walls recede as he seeks the outdoors. A visit to Koksijde acts as a catalyst. The palette undergoes a transformation; the heavy shadows lift, replaced by a lighter, more open approach to light and atmosphere.
Fishermen and the Flemish Spirit
The subject matter shifts alongside the light. Farasyn finds himself drawn to the lives of others—specifically the fishermen and their families. He moves through the landscapes of Mol and the Kempen region, occasionally venturing into Zeeland and the Netherlands, including Scheveningen and the Zuiderzee area. His brush captures urban scenes, village life, and the rugged reality of coastal existence.
His commitment to Flemish art finds a structural home in collective action. He becomes a founding member of the secessionist group De XIII. Alongside this, he participates in Weest U Zelve, a group dedicated to promoting local artistic identity. His work during this period is not merely about observation but about participation in a movement of cultural reclamation.
Legacy in Stone and Pigment
Beyond the portable canvas, Farasyn engages with the permanence of mural painting. In 1899, at the invitation of Frans Van Kuyck, he contributes to a significant historical project within the Antwerp Town Hall. His work, Optocht van de rederijkerskamer "De Violieren" in 1539, occupies the staircase hallway, part of a larger decorative scheme involving artists like Piet Verhaert and Edouard de Jans.
His career is marked by international recognition through exhibitions. He receives awards at the Sydney International Exhibition in 1879 and the Brussels International in 1897. After decades of teaching and painting, he retires from his academic post in 1924, leaving behind a body of work that spans from dark, interior portraits to the bright, salt-aired scenes of the coast.