Gustave Den Duyts (1850-1897), View Of The Gent-terneuzen Canal

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Artist: Gustave Den Duyts (1850-1897)
Title: View of the Gand-Terneuzen Canal (1882)
Technique and support: Oil on canvas
Special features of the painting: Painting signed lower right by the artist and dated
Dimensions: 80 x 140 cm (106 x 166 cm with the frame, originally gilded the frame was painted white)
Condition: Good, the frame presents some small shocks
Provenance: Her Royal Highness Princess Diane of France then private collection

Expert's comment: This view of the canal from Ghent to Terneuzen is a prominent work by the Belgian impressionist artist Gustave Den DUYTS. This canal built between 1823 and 1827 allows ships from the North Sea to go to the port of Ghent without passing through Antwerp. In this preindustrial context of the end of the nineteenth century, the artist shows us with this realism proper to the Belgian impressionists the permanence and beauty of the countryside. It shows as usual a great technical mastery and composition but also a great modernity for the time. Its nervous and vibrant touch as well as its happy melancholy colors give the painting a very special light that shows the Flemish origins of the artist. This work is complementary to another work "Panoramic View of the City of Ghent" (1881) exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent (see last photo). The artist represents in a style and dimensions the same channel from the city. A fine example of Belgian luminism, a term that can be understood as the fusion of French Impressionism with Post-Impressionism and the realist tradition of Belgian art.

Biography of the artist: Gustave Den DUYTS was born in Ghent on October 22, 1850. His grandfather was curator of the collections at the University of Ghent and his father an excellent lithographer. It is not inconceivable that he received the first drawing lessons from his father. He then studies at Gent Nijverheidsschool although his family tries to discourage him from his vocation. In 1874, he presents two paintings in the Ghent Salon that he painted in his studio, which he shares with Jean Delvin. Considered as one of Belgium's leading innovators, the state and the Belgian museums buy his works in these triumphant 80s for the artist. Died very young, he produced little and was very beloved by Belgian post-impressionist artists who all had works by Den DUYTS in their collection. Among them are Emile Claus, Albert Baertsoen, Anna de Weert and Georges Buysse.