Artwork
Hooioogst te Jabbeke
Hooioogst te Jabbeke is an oil painting by Constant Permeke. It dates from 1929 and is held in the collection of the Groeningemuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1929, this oil painting by Constant Permeke depicts a rural scene in Jabbeke, featuring a horse‑drawn carriage traveling along a road beneath a cloudy sky. The composition centers on the carriage, topped by a hat‑clad rider, while trees line the horizon, establishing a quiet, open landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of everyday travel, emphasizing the relationship between motion and stillness. The moving carriage contrasts with the stationary trees and sky, suggesting a balance between human activity and the enduring natural environment of the Flemish countryside.
Technique & Style
Permeke employs a restrained palette of muted greens, browns and blues, applying brushwork that conveys both vigor and calm. Subtle impasto and layered glazing give the surface depth, while the handling of light and shadow recalls chiaroscuro, aligning the piece with his broader expressionist approach.
History & Provenance
The painting belongs to the collection of the Groeningemuseum in Bruges. It was produced during Permeke’s mature period, when he was a leading figure of the Flemish Expressionist movement and a member of the School of Latem, alongside contemporaries such as Gustave De Smet and Frits Van den Berghe.
Context
Created at a time when Permeke was synthesizing influences from Fauvism, Cubism and folk art, the piece reflects his development of an independent expressionist language distinct from German Expressionism. The rural subject aligns with his recurring interest in the lives and landscapes of northern Belgium.
Artist & collection
Artist
Constant Permeke (Dutch: (1886 – 1952) was a Belgian painter and sculptor, and part of the Sint-Martens-Latem-based School of Latem, along with Gustave De Smet and Frits Van den Berghe.
