Herinnering aan een zondag, 1926

This work depicts an afternoon in the summer when artists and their wives gathered in the Leie region. Among those depicted in the painting are Frits Van den Berghe (with glasses), Gust De Smet (shooting a bow and arrow), Marc Chagall (at the back in the boat), and Edgard Tytgat (at the window, painting the scene). However, the scene in the foreground is particularly striking. Thanks to the research of Dr. Nele Bernheim on the fashion designer Norine Van Hecke, the scene can be interpreted as a hidden love affair. Norine Van Hecke, who is stepping out of the boat, is being helped by the artist E.L.T. Mesens, who was the assistant and close friend of gallery owner and art promoter P.-G. Van Hecke. It was a public secret that the young dandy Mesens and the frivolous Norine had a romantic relationship. The open-minded Van Hecke, therefore, looks away thoughtfully during the intimate moment between his wife and his friend. But Edgard Tytgat, he saw it all, of course…

• This work is part of the museum’s main collection. It was included in the inventory of the donation from Jules and Irma Dhondt-Dhaenens that was compiled at the board meeting on 03.06.1967.