Sint-Martens-Latem PDF

The landscape around the river Leie has been an inspiration to artists in particular from the last quarter of the 19^th century. The uncomplicated peasant’s life attracted many artists. In the village the artist sought elements the big city could no longer provide: rest, silence and authenticity. In Ghent artists like Karel and Gustave van de Woestyne, Jules de Praetere, George Minne and Valerius de Saedeleer oppose against the ruling art of the bourgeoisie and the industrial development. Around 1900 the Leie region attracted a group of symbolist artists, which settled in Sint-Martens-Latem and later would be known as the First Latem Group. It consisted of the painters Valerius de Saedeleer and Gustave van de Woestyne, the sculptor George Minne and the poet Karel van de Woestijne. Apart from an inner peace they not only find but also create, with the support of Albijn Van den Abeele, a climate of spiritualisation and artistic depth in the village.