EMILE CLAUS. PRINCE OF LUMINISM

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.