Major retrospective of work by the leading exponent of Flemish Expressionism: Constant Permeke (1886 -1952). His paintings generally depict working-class people - seamen, farmworkers and miners – embedded in the background landscape. Permeke chose to emphasise the hardships of human existence and the close relationship between man and the earth. His work does not criticise society but is successful in terms of a kind of magic realism. His figures are deliberately distorted and he uses warm colours. In addition to paintings, he also created monumental sculptures of human figures, which betray his leaning towards Cubism and liking for Léger’s work. Unlike the other Expressionists, Permeke also made large drawings demonstrating an accurate and sophisticated use of line.