Municipal Museum Gevaert-Minne

Municipal Museum Gevaert-Minne in Sint-Martens-Latem is a compact art museum housed in the former home and studio of Belgian painter, poet, writer and composer Edgar Gevaert. The museum sits on a nearly three-hectare estate along the Lys river, making it one of the more picturesque cultural stops in East Flanders.

Who was Edgar Gevaert?

Edgar Gevaert (1891–1965) was born into an industrialist family from Oudenaarde and pursued several artistic disciplines throughout his life, working as a painter while also writing poetry and prose and composing music. In 1916 he married Marie Minne, daughter of the respected sculptor George Minne, tying his legacy to one of the most significant names in Belgian sculpture at the turn of the 20th century. The museum's name combines Gevaert's surname with that of the Minne family.

How did the museum come to be?

Following Edgar Gevaert's death, his former residence and atelier were converted into a municipal museum, which opened its doors to visitors in 1994. The building has retained the character of a private artist's home, so a visit feels less like touring a conventional gallery and more like stepping into a historic working studio.

What does the collection include?

The museum's holdings trace the development of the so-called Latem School, a circle of artists who worked in this stretch of Flanders along the Lys river during the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection features early figures such as Xavier De Cock, members of the first Latem group including Valerius de Saedeleer and George Minne, and works by Albert Servaes from the intermediate period. It is rounded out by pieces from the second Latem group, represented among others by Léon De Smet, Gust De Smet and Frits Van den Berghe. Together, the works offer a cross-section of several generations of artists tied to the region, tracing a stylistic evolution from realism through symbolism to expressionism.

Why is it worth a visit?

The museum's strength lies in the way art and setting reinforce each other — the expansive, green grounds surrounding the artist's former residence create a quiet backdrop that makes it easy to picture Gevaert's daily life and work there. The site appeals both to admirers of Flemish painting and to anyone interested in the history of the Leiestreek region, long known for its strong artistic traditions.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? The museum is located at Kapitteldreef 45 in Sint-Martens-Latem, on grounds covering nearly three hectares.

What are the opening hours? The museum welcomes visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, between 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. It is closed from January 1 to February 15 and throughout July.

Whose work can visitors see in the collection? Alongside Edgar Gevaert's own work and George Minne's sculptures, visitors can see pieces by Latem School artists including Valerius de Saedeleer, Albert Servaes, Léon De Smet, Gust De Smet and Frits Van den Berghe.

Since when has the museum been open? The museum opened in 1994, in Edgar Gevaert's former home and studio.