DEINZE.- Emile Claus: Prince of Luminism celebrates the centenary of the death of Belgium’s leading impressionist, Emile Claus (1849–1924). He captured the unique atmosphere that characterised life around the river Lys in Flanders like no other artist, before or since.

During his early academic years in Antwerp, Claus emerged as a portrait and genre painter. Over the course of the next decade, his interest in landscapes expanded significantly.

He established his reputation with such key works as Cockfight in Flanders, Cows Crossing the River Lys, Beet Harvest and The Skaters, becoming a prominent figure in the art world of his time, both in Belgium and overseas. His virtuoso touch means that his work is included in the holdings of several prestigious museums as well as the Royal Collection and countless private collections.

Emile Claus expert Johan De Smet, senior curator at the Museum of Fine Arts Ghent, sheds light on the key moments of Claus’s artistic career via literary references, archival documents and a comprehensive exploration of his most important paintings. This is an essential work for enthusiasts of impressionist art, and an eye-opening introduction to those new to Claus.

This book is published on the occasion of the exhibition Emile Claus: Prince of Luminism at mudel – Museum of Deinze and the Leie Region, Deinze, Belgium from 27 September 2024 until 26 January 2025.

“Tall, slender, wiry and bony.

Kindly character to which the fervour of art passed on the reflections of inspiration. In his eyes, moreover, there burns that fire that animates only enthusiastic workers, obstinate searchers and stubborn observers who seek with heart and soul a well-defined ideal.

Special mimicry of visual attention.

– When he is admiring a spot of nature, an e ect of the sun or some harmony, his large, lean body leans forward, and his pinched eyes glare and the muscles of his neck seem to want to reduce the distance that separates him from the object of his attention!

An essentially intellectual head.

– A large skull and high forehead. A fine nose and pointy chin. A thin head of hair, flat and supple, combed forward, further enhances the high forehead. The eyes, of a strange grey-blue colour, are expressive, dotted with small nervous wrinkles at the outer corners, inquisitive but gentle, sympathetic and even tender. Pointy beard and drooping moustache. With clearly pronounced features, this face as a whole exudes a lot of sharpness, candour and honesty. In fact, Claus possesses the traditional roguishness of the Fleming, enlivened with the intense subtlety of the Frenchman.
Muffled voice and strong Flemish accent. Picturesque language full of typical coinages.” - Edmond-Louis De Taeye (De Taeye 1894, p. 449)

On the birthday of Emile Claus, Belgium's most important impressionist, the mudel opens a prestigious exhibition bringing together dozens of the artist's masterpieces. The title of the exhibition is inspired by a 1946 publication by Alice Sauton. The most beautiful paintings from all periods of his oeuvre will be shown, partly thanks to the exceptional cooperation of the Museum of Fine Arts of Ghent and through important loans from various public and private collections.