Landscape with Haystacks

Artist Constant Permeke (Antwerp, Belgium, 1886 - 1952)

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 65 cm, Width: 80.3 cm
Frame: Height: 79.2 cm, Width: 95 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1980 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions and the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG000504

Keywords

About MeThe Belgian painter and sculptor Constant Permeke is considered to be the leading figure of Flemish expressionism. Although born in Antwerp he was brought up in Ostend, where his father was curator of the Municipal Museum of Arts.

Permeke served in the Belgian army during World War I and during the defence of Antwerp he was wounded in action. His wounds forced him to be evacuated to the United Kingdom where he was in hospital at South Hillwood. After his release from hospital he was reunited with his wife in Folkestone, where his son John was born.
In 1916 Permeke moved to Chardstock in Devon and started painting again, mostly colourful English landscapes. Returning to Ostend in 1919 the harsh reality of the Belgian worker's life became his inspiration and Permeke concentrated on the harsh life of the fisherman and later, from c.1929, as here, on the farmer and his land. His work from this time onwards is characterised by its expressive force, achieved using muted tones and brutal forms.