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→Frans Van Haelen (1872-1939)
==Frans Van Haelen (1872-1939)==
Frans Van Haelen was well known as a cultural figure in his time, a patron of the arts and benefactor to the pre-war artist group later known as the Brabant Fauves. This group included the artists Rik Wouters (1882-1916), Louis Thevenet (1874-1930), and Felix De Boeck (1898-1995) and the . Flemish author Herman Teirlinck (1879-1967)was also associated with the group, also known as the "Calevoeters". They With Teirlinck, he also co-chaired ''De Eendracht,'' a local theater group in Linkebeek. The artists often assembled at the brewer's home, and also worked in a loft above the Cafe Les 3 Pigeons across the street from the brewery. Gueuze This space was provided by Van Haelen along with ample food and libations, and crates of gueuze were sometimes exchanged for artworks. A private gallery was constructed inside the brewery, and Van Haelen's home was full of fine art and antiquities. Van Haelen was also a friend of famous Belgian artist James Ensor(1860-1949), and several of his paintings hung were even hanging inside the brewery before it was demolished in 1971.
Van Haelen also sponsored the restoration of Beersel Castle from 1928-1939, as an early proponent of tourism to the Senne Valley region. He was said to be the richest man in Beersel before the second world war.