Masters by the Lys

Sint-Martens-Latem © Toerisme Leiestreek vzw (2)
© Toerisme Leiestreek vzw
At the beginning of the 20th century, artists had had enough of the hectic city life. Their search for an alternative leads them along the banks of the River Lys, where they bring symbolism, impressionism and expressionism to fruition.

A hundred years later, the villages along the Golden River are still oases of greenery and tranquillity. You can visit the homes of the artists, ateliers and museums in the most pleasant way possible: during a walk, bike ride or boat trip.

Discover these Flemish Masters in situ

Atelier Martin Wallaert

The house of this painter – the sole surviving representative of the Latem School – is a treasure trove of works by iconic artists. So this visit is an ideal introduction to this intriguing art movement.

Tip 
Fancy a culinary experience with the same atmosphere? Work by Martin Wallaert hangs on the wall in restaurant De Karper. 

Villa ter Ide – Atelier Martin Wallaert
Gemeente Zulte
Villa ter Ide – Atelier Martin Wallaert

Museum Gevaert Minne

Here you stand – literally – face to face with a highlight from the classic Latem period: Gustave van de Woestyne’s The Porridge Eater. 

Tip

Cycling fan? This museum is a stop along the Lys Region Cycling Route, which winds all over the Lys region. You also pass by the Dhondt-Dhaenens and Gust De Smet museums and St. Martin’s church in Sint-Martens-Latem. There, in addition to work by Van de Woestyne, you can admire a charcoal drawing by Albert Servaes.

Speaking of Albert Servaes, the artist’s former home-atelier is now a hotel. This then makes Torenhof Deurle – where some of his works hang – the ideal place to spend the night on your cycling trip.

Museum Gevaert-Minne Sint-Martens-Latem
Paul Hermans - Eigen werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia
Museum Gevaert-Minne

Museum Gust De Smet

You visit this special museum as if the artist still lives there. Stroll through the living room, view the bedroom, walk into the atelier and admire his masterpiece: Village Sunshine.

Tip

A fan of walking? The Gust De Smet walking route – how could it not – goes past this museum.

Is the walking making you hungry? Restaurant Nenuphar in Afsnee serves eel in green sauce with wall paintings by De Smet in the background. In the foreground: an inspiring view over the Lys.

Speaking of the Golden River, the picturesque banks of the River Lys were the favourite backdrop for the artists. With Gandante you can take a boat trip along the most beautiful places. 

Museum Gust De Smet Sint-Martens-Latem exterieur
Paul Hermans - Eigen werk, CC BY-SA 4.0
Museum Gust de Smet

Even more inspiration for a fascinating programme

The unique visual language of Roger Raveel

Roger Raveel is one of the most important post-war Belgian artists. You can admire a sizeable collection of his paintings, drawings and objects in the Roger Raveel Museum. The building itself – designed by architect Stéphane Beel – is also worth a visit.

Roger Raveel Museum Machelen-aan-de-Leie © Toerisme Leiestreek vzw
© Toerisme Leiestreek vzw

A large collection of painters from the Lys Region: Mudel

The Museum of Deinze and the Lys Region (Mudel) has an impressive collection, ranging from Permeke to Minne and from Van de Woestyne to Raveel.

From 28 September 2024 to 26 January 2025, Mudel will be showcasing an absolute artist: “sun painter” Emile Claus, exponent of luminism. This exhibition features more than 100 works by the artist – who died 100 years ago – including gems from the MSK and public and private collections.

Eager for more Claus? Mudel is organising a year of initiatives around our country’s most important impressionist. 

Tip

Speaking of the sun, is it joining the party? If so, tackle the Emile Claus cycling route. As well as to Mudel, the route also takes you past Villa Zonneschijn in Astene. This house, where the artist lived and worked, is only accessible during exhibitions.

Prefer a shorter ride? The cycling route Along art in the Lys Region takes you past the Raveel Museum in Machelen, the Mudel in Deinze and the Dhondt-Dhaenens museum in Deurle. Together, these attractions are organising the Biennial of Painting, from 30 June to 6 October 2024. 

Bietenoogst - www.artinflanders.be (c)Rik Klein Gotink
www.artinflanders.be (c)Rik Klein Gotink

Sculpture in Atelier José Vermeersch 

José Vermeersch brings together extremes in his work. For example, the pop art of Duane Hanson, George Segal and Edward Kienholz is confronted with the terracotta armies from the graves of the Ch'in dynasty. His almost man-sized sculptures, constructed layer-by-layer with thin sheets of clay, testify to impressive craftsmanship. 

Atelier José Vermeersch © Familie José Vermeersch
© Familie José Vermeersch

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