Tytgat Edgard

Edgard Tytgat was a Belgian artist born in Brussels in 1879 and died in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert in 1957. He was a painter, watercolorist, draftsman and woodcarver. Spent his childhood in Bruges. In 1895 he became a student of lithography in his father's studio. Education at the Academy in Brussels, conducted by C. Montald (1896-1905). Stayed in London during the First World War. Returned to Belgium in 1920, first settled in Nivelles and in 1923 in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. Debuted under the influence of Impressionism, partly due to his intimate collaboration with R. Wouters. From 1920 he turned out to be a print maker, painter and storyteller. His sources of inspiration: scenes from everyday life, circus and fairground scenes, folklore, folk tales, fantasy. His works seem to be narrative and folk and should be situated in the Brussels atmosphere. They reflect an atmosphere of mischief, soft irony, playful eroticism, youthful daring, wisdom, poetry and dream. From 1940 to 1950 his palette evolved to brighter colours and the painting technique became less strict. From then on he also found inspiration in religious subjects, hero tragedies, and anecdotal stories. His wife Marie also often appeared as a model in his works. From the press: “His means of expression are simple and of a sought-after naivety, which is accentuated by the soft tones. From 1950 mythology also became a source of inspiration, but he portrays it in the same light-hearted style.” Also illustrated numerous books. Traveled to Switzerland and Italy in 1948-1950. From 1923 he was a member of Kunst van Heden, De IX, Le Centaure and Sélection. He was director of the Free Atelier in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert from 1940 to 1957. Work in the Museums in Brussels, Ixelles, Antwerp, Ghent, Mons, Liège, Bruges, among others. Mentioned in BAS I and Two Centuries Signatures of Belgian Artists. Source: Paul Piron, Belgian visual artists from the 19th to the 21st century.