Museum Gevaert-Minne

Gustave van de Woestyne (1881-1947)

The Porridge Eater
Museum Gevaert-Minne Sint-Martens-Latem

Edgard Gevaertdreef, Sint-Martens-Latem

Gevaert-Minne could be referred to as a house museum, but a very special one indeed. Edgar Gevaert ‘s former home and studio became a municipal museum in 1994. In addition to some artworks and documents by Edgar Gevaert, the museum mainly displays artwork from the classical period of Sint-Martens-Latem, a village near the river Leie.

Gustave van de Woestyne - De papeter (Museum Gevaert-Minne Sint-Martens-Latem)

Museum Gevaert-Minne

The former home of Edgar Gevaert (1891-1965), son of an industrialist in Oudenaarde, houses a small but exquisite museum. In addition to being a painter Edgar Gevaert was also a poet, writer and composer and was married to Marie Minne, daughter of the sculptor George Minne. Gevaert’s painting studio is still recognizable by its huge windows. The museum collection includes works by early scouts such as Xavier De Cock, the initial Latem group with Valerius de Saedeleer and George Minne, Albert Servaes from the intermediate period and the second Latem group with works of art by, for example, Leon De Smet, Gustave De Smet and Frits Vanden Berghe.

The Porridge Eater

With his series of peasant heads from the years before World War I, including De Papeter which dates back to 1911, Gustave van de Woestyne is to some extent a reporter of Latem’s rural life. In fact, a certain mutual affinity developed but without taking up any social position, which he did not consider to be his mission. All of Gustave van de Woestyne’s art is imbued with a sense of individual inner life. It is another reason why it could be assumed that the peasant stereotype provided an opportunity for psychological self-expression. Perhaps he identified something in Latem’s peasants that in part reflected his own personality: a degree of composure and devoutness, alongside a measure of obstinacy and waywardness?

Practical information

Address

Edgard Gevaertdreef
9830 Sint-Martens-Latem
Belgium
View directions

Opening hours

  • Wednesday to Sunday

  • From 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

  • Annual closure: January 1 to February 15, July 1 to July 31.

Accessibility

  • Accessible for people with disabilities.

Good to know

  • Admission: free.

Other sites nearby

Grafmonument - George Minne
Explore Saint Martin’s Church, located in an idyllic landscape along the scenic river Leie. Take inspiration from Gustave van de Woestyne and George Minne.
Sint-Michielskerk Gent (interieur)
The Gothic church exhibits a remarkable unity of style, which is also reflected in the interior. It is a haven of peace within the city centre of Ghent.