Foundation Veranneman, Kruishoutem
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Brussels, Paleis voor Schone Kunsten, Constant Permeke: Retrospective, February - March 1930
Antwerp, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Constant Permeke, June - August 1959
Venlo, Cultureel Centrum, Retrospectieve Permeke, February - April 1972, no 13
Oostende Provinciaal Museum voor Moderne Kunst, Retrospectieve Permeke, 1986 - 1987, no. 62, illustrated in colour
The Hague, Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, Constant Permeke, September - December 2004, no. 212 

W. van den Bussche, Constant Permeke, Jabbeke 1972

This work is in very good condition. A few pinholes in the two upper corners and along the extreme left and right edges. Upon close inspection there is one small scratch of approximately 8 cm. situated in the centre of the fisherman's sweater (visible in the catalogue illustration). There are a few faint creases along the edges and in the area of the fisherman's knees. There are two minor superficial dents in the wood at the extreme left edge. All imperfections are inherent to the artist's choice of medium and working process.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Constant Permeke is the leading figure of Flemish Expressionism. He is known as the most singular and most monumental expressionist who, in contrast to the other expressionists, created many large drawings, of which the Zittende Visser is one of the most prominent.

Born in Antwerp on 31 July 1886, his family lived in Burcht at the Scheldt and later in Ostend. The river and the North Sea became important elements in the evolution of Permeke. During his childhood in 1891, Permeke and his family were at sea on their own boat "Artis Amor" and went on shore in Ostend in 1892. His resultant love of the sea can be clearly seen in many of Permeke's works.

The family settled in Ostend, where Constant's father became curator of the Museum of Ostend, whilst Constant went to the Academy in Bruges. He met fellow Belgian artists Frits van den Berghe, Albert Servaes and Gustave and Léon de Smet who he joined at a popular artists' colony at Sint-Martens-Latem. As a reaction against the 'bourgeois' art of that time, Permeke and the other artists came to be more in touch with nature and the rural way of life. There he was closely associated with the second group of Flemish Expressionists and met his future wife, Marietje.

It was shortly after Contstant Permeke's return from England in 1919, after the First World War, that the painter was confronted with the poverty and misery of the Belgian population.  

Permeke stated at that time:
"I was above all touched by their spirit, their eternal and general character, I grew into them"                                                 
( Constant Permeke, Het Laatste Nieuws, 11 February 1930)

In the Zittende Visser Permeke expresses the toughness, power and fundamental greatness of the fishermen, with a force and temper that causes the tall and almost sculptured fisherman to sparkle. The heavy contours are a general treatment of the suggestive spirit of the early 1920's as is the very dark tonality which enhances the feeling of confused and hard times.

With the barest minimum of means, in just a few lines, the monumental aspect of this work is striking. The enormous size and limitation and isolation of the shape in the plane forms a great sense of synthesis. The human figure comes forward in which inevitably the milieu of the fisherman's life becomes visible. This serene position is completed by the white background of the paper. The grain of the wood, at both left and right of the torn areas and the rings in the wood, bring out the rough natural character of the subject. In addition this gives a great feeling for construction.

Any suggestion of place or detail in the Zittende Visser is left out by the artist. The enlargement of the fisherman's hands and feet brings to life the drawing's instinctive expression. By simplifying and distorting the figure, Permeke focuses on the essence and the strength of the fisherman. The interaction between man and nature is a central theme in his oeuvre. Permeke's art characteristically displays a sympathy with the harshness of a fishermen's life and a great affinity with the sea. This is particularly profound in Zittende Visser.

(W. van den Bussche, Cons💫tant Permeke, Jabbeke 🐎1972)