Collection presentation – Behold the Man

In the work of Constant Permeke (1886–1952), people take centre stage. At certain moments they appear powerful and warm, surrounded by others; at others they seem vulnerable and searching. His figures rarely look the viewer directly in the eye. They are on their way to the quay to sell fish, or daydreaming in the fields while ploughing or weeding. The artist observes with a sharp and sensitive eye, and through his gaze we see what it means to be human: ecce homo – behold the man.

His figures often appear solitary and larger than life on the canvas. Fine pencil lines alternate with strongly painted, dark passages of colour. His spontaneous and experimental approach reveals the inner lives of his characters. Permeke’s view of humanity is grounded in a long humanistic tradition and remains deliberately open.

Philippe Vandenberg (1952–2009) sought to capture both the inner struggle of human beings and the madness of society. With thick impasto and powerful, impulsive brushstrokes, he evokes an energy that recalls Permeke.

Philip Aguirre y Otegui (1961, lives and works in Antwerp) raises critical questions about the disappearance of humanness. What happens when our compassionate gaze weakens? Is empathy a constant, or does it have its limits? His installation shows a rigid human figure, washed ashore and precariously balanced on two thin metal frames—an image that emphasizes the fragility of human existence.

Maryam Najd (1965, lives and works in Antwerp) explores the naked body and darkness. Nudity in art raises questions about vulnerability and strength: does the body show human beings in their most defenceless state, or does it express a physical and existential vitality? In Najd’s work, the female nude is approached from a non-sexual perspective. Permeke’s work likewise contains no trace of eroticism. The nude takes on a universal meaning that transcends the individual portrait.

During the winter months, the Permeke Museum mainly presents works from its own collection. Mu.ZEE manages an extensive body of works by Constant Permeke at the museum on behalf of the Flemish Community. Most were acquired when his house was purchased in 1959 and were later supplemented with bequests from his children, the municipal collection of Ostend, and various donations. The presentation also includes works by three other artists from the collection, each of whom connects with Permeke’s work in their own way.

With the support of
Structural partner: Delen Private Bank
Authorities: Visit Flanders | Flanders Culture

ADDRESS: Gistelsteenweg 341, Jabbeke