Emiel (Broeder)

Brother Emiel, born Vandermosten, was a Belgian painter, born in Vossem in 1893 and deceased in Groot-Bijgaarden in 1994. In 1909, he entered the novitiate of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in Groot-Bijgaarden. He studied at Sint-Lukas in Schaerbeek, in the studio of Monteyne. In 1926, he became a painting instructor at this institute.

He preferred religious themes, but also painted still lifes and compositions, and from 1935 onwards, frescoes and stained glass designs. He evolved from figurative work to abstraction. In 1959, he exhibited at Galerie de la Madeleine in Brussels. His work was acquired by the Belgian State in 1967. A retrospective exhibition was held in 1971 at the Pro Arte gallery in Ghent.

From the press: “An example of authenticity: to be what one is and what one must be. In both life and work.” Brother Emiel is listed in Twee eeuwen signaturen van Belgische kunstenaars. (Piron)