Ben Durant
President of the Espace René Carcan non-profit organization
René Carcan (Brussels, February 25, 1925 - January 19, 1993) was a Belgian etcher and engraver who gained international fame in the ‘80s.
At the end of the eighties, having no descendants, he thought of perpetuating his artistic heritage. Thus was born on January 1, 1990 the René Carcan Foundation, located in his workshop-home, avenue Champ du Roi in Etterbeek. Its primary goal was "the development of the art of engraving" and it will host the biggest names of the 20th century. René died three years later and the Foundation ceased its activities definitively in 2006, losing its name of “Foundation” to become “Espace René Carcan”. In 2012, thanks to its new website, Espace launched the René Carcan International Prize for Engraving, thus fulfilling what had always been one of the artist's greatest wishes.
Since its first edition in 2014, the Prize has continued to grow in number and quality, from 80 candidates to 365 (from 5 continents) for the 2024 edition. Today, it is with many pride that we are launching our 7th edition on March 1, 2025. Join us.
