Albert Roosenboom was born in Brussels in 1845 and was a well-known member of the Flemish School specialised in painting genre-scenes and figure subjects. He was a pupil of Constantin Meunier (1831-1905) the sculptor, engraver and painter of genre scenes, landscapes and realistic portraits. It was this artist’s influence that led him to adhere to the philosophy of wanting painting only to express the harmony of lines, masses and colours. In common with artists working on the continent at this time, be it the Forest of Barbizon, the northern beaches or such cities as Paris or Brussels, he was consumed with the study and control of light. This prompted them to move from their studios to work ‘plein-air’. This is best shown in his works such as the beach scenes, which show a commitment to light and the seasons affects upon it. He worked extensively from Brussels during the period from 1845 to 1873 and it is at Courtrai that houses his painting “La Toupie”. His works can be found in museums in: Courtrai, Antwerp.