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According to a 1925 opinion poll, Frédéric was Belgium's most popular artist. In fact, he gained critical acclaim from the start of his career, unlike many of his contemporaries. Despite his instant success, Frédéric kept his feet firmly on the ground. He was touched by the harsh living conditions of the working class and he expressed this social awareness in his art. During a stay in the Ardennes, he was confronted with the poverty of peasants in Wallonia. The painting of these 'boëchelles', a Walloon dialect word for girls, should be seen in this context.
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