InfoFlash N°104 – Edmond Verstraeten in Barbizon

Lights and Colors of Flemish Luminism
Cultural Hotel l’Esquisse, April 2, 2026 – September 28, 2026

A significant event in the Île-de-France art world: the opening of the new exhibition dedicated to the painter Edmond Verstraeten (1870-1956) brought together an enthusiastic audience on April 23, 2026, at the Hôtel Culturel l’Esquisse in Barbizon. Pierre Bedouelle, President of the Impressionisms Routes© network, and the artist’s descendants were present: Antoon Rumes, his grandson and secretary of VZW E. Verstraeten – Kunstschilder (Belgium), and Bart Rumes, his great-grandson. Both recounted the painter’s career and shared some personal anecdotes that were greatly appreciated by the guests.

More than forty paintings, brought together by Francisca van Vloten, President of the Scientific Committees of euroart and Impressionnisms Routes©, are on display until September 2026 in the ideal setting of the l’Esquisse museum space…

Belgian Luminism is an original adaptation of the French Impressionist concept. It celebrates the clearest emanations of light and the search for pictorial effects capable of reproducing them… In 1904, most of the Belgian Impressionists presented themselves under the new banner of the “Vie et Lumière” (Life and Light) Association, led by Emile Claus. The most active Luminist center was then located in East Flanders, in the Ghent region and in the Lys Valley, where Jean Delvin, Léon de Smet, and Edmond Verstraeten distinguished themselves through the quality and variety of their works.

Edmond Verstraeten, the “Flemish Monet,” is also known as the “Master of Sombeke,” where he lived on his estate in perfect harmony with nature.

The Friends of Edmond Verstraeten Association (Belgium) is an active member of the European Impressionisms Routes© Network, which is particularly pleased to showcase the Flemish province through the works of the painter.

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