LEMMEN, Georges

(b. 1865 Schaerbeek, d. 1916 Ukkel)

Belgian neo-impressionist painter. As the son of an architect, he was encouraged to study art. He started studying at the school of drawing at Sint Joost-ten-Noode, but soon dropped out. At about age 20, Georges Lemmen started painting. He exhibited at several different galleries in Brussels and in Ghent. In 1888 Lemmen joined the art group Les XX (Les Vingt). He met Théo van Rysselberghe, which led him to move towards Neo-Impressionism.

Inspired by his friendship with Georges Seurat, Lemmen began experimenting with Divisionism and adopted a Pointillist style. He continued painting in a pointillist way till 1895, four years after the death of Seurat. After 1895, Lemmen abandoned Pointillism to Art Nouveau. He created numerous book illustrations, ceramics, carpets, posters, drawings, pastels and gouaches in this particular style.

Beach at Heist

Send Postcard Learn More

Self-Portrait

Lemmen’s intimate works, such as the present Self-Portrait became suggestive of Renoir or Bonnard. The self-portrait expressed the artist’s reticent, introspective nature.

Send Postcard Learn More

View of the Thames

Influenced by Rysselberghe and his own friendship with Seurat and Signac. Lemmen adopted a Neo-Impressionist technique, locating his own personal, poetic version of pointillism in such works as his View of the Thames. Though he was successful at exhibitions with his Neo-Impressionist paintings, Lemmen began to change his position from 1895 on, tending increasingly towards an espousal of more traditional views.

Send Postcard Learn More