Charles Verlat (1824 - 1890), romantic-realistic painter and engraver of historical and genre scenes, portraits and animals.

Life and work: Trained at the Antwerp Academy (G. Wappers, N. De Keyser) and with E. Hamman and J. Lies in Antwerp. Teacher and director at the Weimar Academy (1869-74). Director (1885) at the Academy of Antwerp. He formed around R. Baseleer, C. Boom, H. Luyten and H. van de Velde and plays an important role in the art life of Antwerp.

Follows realism and naturalism but evolves towards a more traditionalist approach. Due to his traditionalism, however, he comes into conflict with the innovators over time. He is particularly renowned for his monumental romantic-naturalistic genre scenes with larger than life figures and animals. Also realizes some great panoramas (around Waterloo and Moscow). Also paints and engraves satirical scenes of animals in human situations.