Saverys, Albert (Belgian, 1886-1964)

Albert Saverys (1886-1964) was one of the most prominent Belgian painters of the interwar period, famous for his depictions of serene landscapes, seascapes and still life.

Saverys was one of the second generation of painters who lived and worked in Laethem-Saint-Martin, located on the River Lys near Ghent in Belgium. Opposed to Impressionism, the painters at Laethem-Saint-Martin sought to find a more expressive style through which to render their compositions. For Saverys, this meant taking inspiration in the expansive landscape and delicate light of the Lys area. Arguably Saverys' most successful renderings of the atmosphere at Laethem-Saint-Martin occur in his winter scenes, typical elements of which include strong silhouettes of windmills against broad skies and partially frozen lakes glistening in the winter sun. His work is often characterised by the sense of stillness it captures, which evokes a sense of nature frozen but on the brink of awakening. This desire to represent seasonal change binds Saverys' works to the Flemish tradition, most notably Bruegel the Elder.

Saverys' canvases continue to hold international appeal, and his work can be found in many important public institutions, galleries and collections around the world.