What is Constant Permeke?
[[File:KMM Permeke 01.JPG|thumb|250px| ''Niobe'', [[sculpture park]] [[Kröller-Müller Museum]]]] '''Constant Permeke''' (31 July 1886 – 4 January 1952) was a [[Belgium|Belgian]] painter and sculptor. He is said to be the leading figure of [[Flanders|Flemish]] [[expressionism]]. Permeke was born in [[Antwerp]]. When he was six years old the family moved to [[Ostend]]. His father was curator of the Municipal Museum of Arts. Permeke went to school in [[Bruges]] from 1903 until 1906. In 1906 he was drafted into the Belgian army. After his military service ended in March 1908, Permeke returned to Ostend. He roomed together with another artist, [[Gustave De Smet]]. In 1909 he returned to Latem where he lived as a [[recluse]]. In 1912 Permeke married Maria Delaere and the newlyweds settled in Ostend. When [[World War I]] started, Permeke was in the defense of Antwerp. He was wounded in action near the town of [[Duffel]]. His wounds forced him to be evacuated to the [[United Kingdom]]. In 1916 he moved to [[Chardstock]] in [[Devon]]shire and started painting again, mostly colorful English landscapes. After the end of the war, the Permeke family returned to Ostend in 1919. In 1921 Permeke was able to exhibit his work in Antwerp and in [[Paris]]. Between 1922 and 1924, Permeke regularly went to [[Astene]]. In 1926 Permeke went to [[Vevey]] in [[Switzerland]] where he mainly painted mountain scenes. In 1929 he moved to [[Jabbeke]]. Starting in 1937 Permeke tried his hand at sculpting as well. During [[World War II]], Permeke was forbidden to paint by the [[Germany|German]] occupiers. His art was seen by them as ''[[Degenerate art|Entartete Kunst]]''. His son Paul was arrested and sent to Germany as a forced labourer. After the war, Permeke was made director of the [[Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Antwerp)|Royal Academy in Antwerp]]. He only worked there one year. In 1948 his wife died. Emotionally scarred and ailing, Permeke had to be nursed by his daughter. Constant Permeke died 4 January 1952. He was buried ne