Keith Haring: Street art on a banknote ?

Born on 4 May 1958 in Reading, in the State of Pennsylvania, Keith Haring developed a great passion for drawing at an early age. He soon descended upon New York, where he came to socialize in hip-hop and graffiti circles. There, he found a kind of freedom, far from the art galleries and other museum institutions.   

The early 1980s were a turning point in the popularity of the artist. Often criticised for his drawings that were felt to be too childish, Keith Haring made a name for himself thanks to his works of art in the New York subway. He took a particular liking to the black vinyl advertising hoardings that had been left in disrepair by the American city. At the time, it was possible to admire the white chalk drawings that were so characteristic of the artist, backed up by slogans like “Art in Transit” or “Crack is Wack”. Many art gallery owners and other collectors were soon rushing in to pick up art works by the Pennsylvanian native and literally bring out his street art, propelling him to the forefront of the art scene. His closeness to Andy Warhol, the leader of the Pop Art movement only served to strengthen his intent to make his art accessible to everyone! The second half of the 1980s saw the artist export outside the United States. For example, he painted a mural fresco at the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris in 1987 and also went to Belgium in 1987 and 1989, where he produced numerous works of art.  

As a committed activist, Keith Haring’s work broached universal and topical causes such as the fight against inequality and racism or for research into treatment for AIDS. Keith Haring died on 16 February 1990 of complications related to the same disease, having been diagnosed three years earlier. As a legacy, he left his Keith Haring Foundation, administering the rights to his works, but above all financing research into a cure for AIDS.    

Keith Haring did not use an insignificant medium to design his caricature. He used the most popular denomination of the penultimate series of Belgian franc notes issued by the National Bank of Belgium. So, this is a good reason to focus on the personality of Henri Beyaert and the design of the banknote depicting his image.   

Henri Beyaert (1823-1894) was one of the most influential architects that Belgium has ever seen. Eclecticism and the free combination of architectural innovation and heritage are the terms that best describe his work. Among his most renowned achievements were the Petit Sablon Park in Brussels and Tournai station. Yet, his greatest credit is that the biggest names of the so-called Art Nouveau movement trained and learned from the Henri Beyaert studio! It was there that Victor Horta and Paul Hankar learned the decorative use of metal, the combination of coloured materials, the aesthetic appearance of flowing lines, the importance of modern comfort, and above all the idea that every building is a work of art down to the last detail.   

Beyaert was associated with the National Bank of Belgium when he was allowed, in 1859, to design the headquarters of the institution in Brussels, in collaboration with the architect Wynand Janssens. The only part of this building that has still been conserved today is the imposing Hôtel du gouverneur. The rest of it was replaced from 1948 by a construction designed by Marcel van Goethem. Henri Beyaert was also selected in 1878 to design and build the Antwerp branch of the National Bank of Belgium. This building is no longer in use by the National Bank today but can still be admired on Antwerp’s Leopoldplaats.  

As a leading Belgian architect, the figure of Beyaert was a very logical choice to decorate the 100 Belgian franc note from the penultimate series of Belgian franc notes issued by the National Bank of Belgium. This series paid homage to various personalities from the art circles of the 19th century and to their discipline. Other denominations from this series paid homage to people like the sculptor Constantin Meunier for the 500 Belgian franc notes and the poet Guido Gezelle for the 5000 Belgian franc notes. The banknote featuring the famous architect was issued in 1978 and remained in circulation until 1996. The central portrait of Henri Beyaert was produced by artist Anne Velghe, while the rest of the banknote is attributable to graphic designers Yvon Adam and Manfred Hürrig and to engraver Charles Leclerqz.  

There are a good many references to the architectural achievements of Beyaert all over the banknote. The front of the note features illustrations referring to the National Bank of Belgium’s building in Antwerp or the enclosures of the Petit Sablon Park in Brussels. The reverse side shows – on the background of the geometric plump bob – designs inspired by the former atrium covering the platforms of Tournai station.