FLEMISH MASTERS IN SITU
Experience our Flemish Masters where they’re truly at home.
Van Eyck and Rubens. Surrealists and expressionists. Old and contemporary Masters. Here in Flanders is where they all lived, worked and found their inspiration. Many of their masterpieces are on display in a truly unique location – the original place where the masters created those very works and where you too can spend some time in their shoes. Welcome to the Flemish Master Tours.
MASTERS BY THE SEA
MASTERS BY THE SEA
Is it the air? The light? Or the eternal rushing of the waves? Artists always feel attracted to the sea. Ensor lived all his life in Ostend. Paul Delvaux and Constant Permeke, who began their painting careers elsewhere, ended up in the vicinity of the Flemish coast - and never left again.
With this Master’s Tour, you can follow in their footsteps. From museums and artists’ homes to quaint churches, your common thread is the blue sea.
DE JUDESTRAAT 64 KNOKKE
Entering an artist’s studio is always a unique experience. After all, you’re entering a place where ideas are born. Visit the studio of Luc Peire and you’ll also find out where the artist drew his inspiration. Here, art and architecture come together in an oasis of tranquillity.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘Environnement I’ by Luc Peire
VLAANDERENSTRAAT 29 OOSTENDE
James Ensor was born and bred in this city by the sea. Today, the house where he lived and worked is an experience centre, where you can pay a visit to the artist’s home. During your visit, you can poke around inside and rummage through his letters and photos. You also get the feeling that the painter could step into the room at any moment.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘Fort Wellington’ by James Ensor
James Ensor
James Sidney Edouard Baron Ensor was born in Ostend on 13 April 1860 and died there on 19 November 1949. The painter, composer and writer is widely recognised as the most important innovator of modern art in Belgium. A one-of-a-kind individualist, he did not allow himself to be easily categorised within any art movement in particular.
STUDIO OF LUC PEIRE
JAMES ENSOR HOUSE
CHURCH
We're absolutely thrilled to welcome you here for a unique artistic experience. Climb the steps inside the church and view the painting by the Flemish Master Vigor Boucquet from an ever-changing perspective. The higher you climb, the closer you get to the artwork.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘The Judgment of Cambyses’ by Vigor Boucquet
ALONG THE WAY
‘Art is born of the observation and investigation of nature’ wrote Cicero. For that reason, you should definitely pay a visit to the nearby Zwin Nature Park. This nature reserve is known as an ’international airport for migratory birds’. With any luck you’ll spot a rare black stork, a dwarf tern or red-footed falcon.
James Ensor was given his final resting place at Our Lady of the Dunes Church. Along with its surroundings and the adjoining fisherman’s house from 1822, this picturesque ‘Ensor church’ is protected as a village conservation area.
Like to learn more about the flooding of the Yser Plain during World War I? If so, follow the 41 kilometre ‘Cogge-Geeraert’ cycle route. At the Tourist Office in Nieuwpoort, you can buy the map with all the explanations.
The work of Paul Delvaux (1897-1994) is a world full of mystery. Tip: Be sure to take time to admire La Gare Forestière. The painting puts you in the shoes of the girls looking towards the station in the middle of a dark forest.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘La Gare Forestière’ by Paul Delvaux
• 'The Storyteller' by Paul Delvaux
A visit to the Fish Market in Nieuwpoort is also a special experience. That is where fishermen land their catch every morning. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere, learn about the centuries-old craft of fishing and most importantly, taste the delicious fresh fish!
Fancy some more ‘poetic realism’? If so, follow the Paul Delvaux walk in Sint-Idesbald and see the fishing village through the eyes of the artist.
Walk the beautiful GR Coastal Route and along the way, discover the contemporary art of Beaufort, the triennial by the sea. From De Panne to Knokke-Heist, this tour combines breathtaking nature with inspiring works of art, some of which will remain there and form a permanent part of the Beaufort Sculpture Park
Paul Delvaux
Paul Delvaux is often considered part of the surrealist movement. But the Belgian painter felt that this was too narrow, formalistic and superficial an interpretation of his work. He simply wanted to create a form of ‘poetic realism’. And he was successful in that, as his endeavour caused him to elevate his achievement to such heights that he received international acclaim.
© Piet De Kersgieter
PAUL DELVAUX MUSEUM
© Westtoer
SINT-WALBURGASTRAAT VEURNE
The Flemish master Vigor Boucquet lived and worked all his life in Veurne. Consequently, you will find a lot of his work in the town’s St Walburga’s Church. Where else can Boucquet’s works be found? At the Louvre in Paris.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘They cleaned their souls in the blood of Christ’ by Vigor Boucquet
GISTELSTEENWEG 341 JABBEKE
The Permeke Museum is located in the middle of the lush, newly designed garden. Here, you will step into the unique world of the artist Constant Permeke, and get a privileged insight into his life and work.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘Farmer’s wife’ by Constant Permeke
• ‘About Permeke’’ by Constant Permeke
• ‘The Chaise’ by Constant Permeke
more tourist information: visitkoksijde.be
Admire 57 marine and coastal masterpieces and discover the stories behind them through 350 nostalgic viewmasters at 130 locations. Free guides for young and old make your experience complete. https://www.belgiancoast.co.uk/do/masterpieces-sea
To experience more Flemish Masters in Situ, in all parts of Flanders: flemishmastersinsitu.com/en
©
ST WALBURGA'S CHURCH
PERMEKE MUSEUM
ST WALBURGA'S CHURCH
:by
Peter De Wilde, VISITFLANDERS, Rue du Marché aux Herbes 61, 1000 Brussels
(VEURNE)
(JABBEKE)