Edgard Tytgat (1879-1957) pulled out all the visual stops to retell myths, legends and fairy tales in his paintings and prints. Like the filmmakers of his time, he depicted a world full of imagination, absurdity and humour. M brings Tytgat’s ‘fairy tales’ back to life and shows a wide range of works from museum and private collections. The exhibition Edgard Tytgat: Memory of a Beloved Window runs from 8 December 2017 until 8 April 2018 at M-Museum Leuven.  We would like to welcome you at the press preview. This will take place Thursday 7 December at 10:30.

Edgard Tytgat

The Brussels artist Edgard Tytgat (1879-1957) painted nearly five hundred canvases and made countless watercolours, woodcuts, etchings and drawings. Even though he belonged to the group of artists associated with the journal Sélection, his work cannot be placed in any one particular camp. It is difficult to divide his work into well-defined periods, and it lacks clear chronological development. His earliest works are considered impressionistic, while later works can be described as expressionistic or naive. One thing is certain: Tytgat was a born storyteller. A multitude of scenarios play out within a single image.  Filmmaker and co-curator Gust Van den Berghe recognised in the work of Swedish director Roy Andersson a visual language that strongly resembles Tytgat’s narrative style. Juxtaposing the work of Andersson with that of Tytgat reinforces the power of both worlds.

Sixty years after his death, the present exhibition highlights this superabundance of motifs. In addition to a large selection of oil paintings, M will show archival material including videos, diaries and short stories.

Press programme

10:30

Reception with coffee

11:00

Visit with curators Peter Carpreau and Gust Van den Berghe

12:30

Lunch and possibility for questions

Practical information

Curators: Peter Carpreau and Gust Van den Berghe