Georges Lemmen

description

A Belgian Neo-impressionist, a member of “the society of Les XX” – the group of artists, designers and sculptors, whose goal was the development of new trends in art.

He was born into the family of an architect in Scharbeck, near Brussels. Parents gave Georges Lemman an initial art education at the drawing school.

The technique of pointillism was the closest to the artist; in this style Georges Lemmen worked during his greatest artistic period, leaving a beautiful artistic heritage and influencing the development of this art movement not only in Belgium.

Thanks to the activities of “the society of Les XX”, Brussels at the end of the XIX century turned into one of the world centers of modern art. Georges Lemmen is known more as a Neo-impressionist, but also made a significant contribution to the development of the Belgian Art Nouveau. He created a large number of book illustrations, posters, graphic works, ceramics, textiles and interior items in this style.

Key ideas:

– Georges Lemmen worked in Neo-impressionist style, creating colorful landscapes, including marinas, and expressive portraits. Most of the outstanding paintings of the painter were created in the technique of pointillism.

– A favorite plot, like of many other Belgian artists, was the sea. The most famous is “The Beach in Heist”, a painting created in 1891. Bright contrasting colors and the dotted manner of painting allow to refer the picture to the style of Neo-impressionism, but its decorative execution and hidden symbolism anticipate a new direction, to which Georges Lemmen soon turned – Belgian Art-Nouveau.

– After 1895, the artist’s work gradually tended to the modernist trend, becoming more decorative and plain.

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1865

1880

1885

1888

1889 - 1895

1891

1895

1916

The birth of the artist

Georges Lemmen was born on the 25th of November in 1865 in Scharbeck, Belgium.

Got acquainted with the works of Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec

Got acquainted with the works of Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec, who made a great impression on him, so that he decided to become an artist.

Began to create his first paintings

Began to create his first paintings and present them at exhibitions in Brussels and Ghent.

"Les Vingt"

Became a member of the artistic society “Les Vingt” (Twenty), better known as “the society of Les XX”, in which there were many famous artists. In the same year, he met painter Theo van Rysselberghe, who played a key role in Lemmen’s transition to Neo-impressionism.

Participated in the exhibitions of the Salon of Independent

Worked in the technique of pointillism, created many landscapes and portraits. Participated in the exhibitions of the Salon of Independent in Paris and demonstrated his works in other cities.

"Beach at Heist"

Finished painting “Beach at Heist”, which became one of the most famous works of the artist.

Art Nouveau

Refused from Neo-impressionism and began to work in the style of Art Nouveau. The artist worked on panels, illustrations, posters and objects of arts and crafts.