He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and his first well-known work was the official poster for the Exposition Universelle d'Anvers (1885).

In 1888, he became a provincieraadslid (county councilor) and, from 1891, served as an Alderman of Fine Arts on the Antwerp City Council.

During his time in office, the Vlaamse Opera Company was officially established and monuments were erected for Peter Benoit, Hendrik Conscience and Jan Van Rijswijck.

On his initiative, the city acquired Schoonselhof cemetery[1] and created the Nachtegalen Park.

In the Summer of 1913, he wrote a pamphlet, De Dag der moeders (Mother's Day) and formed the first committee to promote its establishment as an official holiday.