Peasant landscape in evening sun, Alfons Vermeir, oil on canvas, 80 x 88 cm

The Fleming Alfons Vermeir belonged to the Belgian Late Impressionists. He was born in Baasrode on the Scheldt River and received classical painterly training at the academy of Antwerp. He then specialized in painting cityscapes, figures and especially the Flemish peasant landscape with cottages and peasants, a subject he remained faithful to throughout his life. From 1940 to 1945, he even had a studio in the Antwerp Kempen to be close to nature. Characteristic of his work are the warm earth tones such as ochres and browns, and the robust, expressionist touch with little attention to detail. During the 1970s, his palette became richer in color.