24 
MuseoMag   N°III 2024 
Alexis Wagner’s notebooks 
CONTEMPORARY PRESS REVIEWS 
Another aspect of the estate is the diverse collec- 
tion of press reviews from Wagner’s early career, 
which sheds light on how his work was received 
at the time. They are also milestones in the artist’s 
biography. These reviews show how personal and 
individual art criticism can be. Generally favourably 
reviewed, Wagner is described as very modest by 
Pol R. Schneider while L.K. notes his utter determina- 
tion to maintain his very own, refined style. However, 
Belgian critic Jean Parisse described Wagner’s solo 
show at a gallery in Liège as “without finesse” and 
“aggressive.” 
Furthermore, Wagner’s lifelong determination to 
make a living as an artist against all odds is clear 
from his correspondence from 1966. An exchange 
between the artist, the tax administration and the 
Ministry of Arts and Sciences gives insight into the 
financial struggles Wagner was facing. He sought 
protection from the ministry against the taxation 
of his work as opposed to a joint taxation with his 
wife, Irma Wagner-Laschette. She was named the 
sole source of income of the household, whereas 
“Alexis-Wagner-Laschette”, as he signed this letter, 
only contributed a “meagre revenue from rare sales” 
(translation by authors). His appeal to the tax admi- 
nistration complains that “any Sunday painter can 
sell paintings easier than an authentic artist. The 
state should take pride in protecting and suppor- 
ting its artists” (translations …). The ensuing letter 
by Pierre Grégoire, then Minister of Cultural Affairs, 
shows that the minister did indeed appeal to Pierre 
Werner, his counterpart at the Ministry of Finances, 
to exempt the artist from taxation. 
A decade later, one of Wagner’s notebook entries 
reads: “Life is hard. Particularly the life of an artist, 
and particularly these days. My working conditions 
are far from good. At least, I save myself by the best 
discipline and organisation possible.” (translated by 
authors). 
Despite his lack of commercial success as an artist, 
which has led to Wagner not occupying a significant 
© 
mnaha 
/ 
camille 
pierre 
ALEXIS WAGNER’S ARCHIVES