October Sketchbook - #Inktober, Day 21


This gorgeous Victorian is Chateau Nottebohm in Brecht, Belgium, near Antwerp. Ferdinand Otto Nottebohm originally bought the property in 1834, and expanded it in 1854. In 1909, he completed construction on the central eclectic manor, pictured here, along with a guest house, storage buildings, and farm. Architect Ernest Williams designed the house as a combination of the Neo-Flemish Renaissance and neoclassical cottage styles It has been a private residence, a restaurant, a hotel, and a Nazi Headquarters. It was abandoned in the 1980's, and attempts to sell the estate have been unsuccessful. The view above is the back of the house. Compare it to these photos from the 1900's, when the house was still occupied by the Nottebohm family.


I was so intrigued by a photo of the estate I found on Pinterest that I went out of my way to find out what this place was. I had never seen such an elegant architectural flight of fancy such as this. You might feel like you recognize it if you've read the Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children books by Ransom Riggs. This place was the inspiration for Riggs description of Miss Peregrine's house. Follow the link back there to Riggs' tumbler  page for some nifty models of Chateau Nottebohm!

The drawing was completed with Sakura Pigma Sensei manga pens. I like the consistency of the ink and the felt tips of these better than Prismacolor, which seemed a bit waxy and didn't come in as many nib widths.

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