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Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar shows the colorful friendship between the grand master of Flemish expressionism Gustave De Smet <\/em>and Leo Gestel<\/em>, one of the most important innovators of Dutch art. The exhibition shows how their lives became intimately intertwined and how they influenced each other both artistically and personally. A story about friendship in both light and dark periods of life. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1914, the Flemish artist flees Gustave De Smet <\/em>(1877-1943) because of the outbreak of World War I to the Netherlands. There he soon made friends with Leo Gestel<\/em> (1881-1941), who introduced him to the Amsterdam art world. This marks the beginning of an intensive artistic exchange. The Smet<\/em> changes of style significantly during this period, influenced by Gestel <\/em>and the artists of the Bergen School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The artists constantly inspire each other. The Smet<\/em> adopts innovative elements from Gestels<\/em> work and vice versa, Gestel was later influenced by the themes and stylistic features of The Smet<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1922, the artists' paths parted for several years: The Smet<\/em> returns to Flanders and Gestel<\/em> leaves for a long journey through Germany and Italy. In 1925, the Gestel<\/em> who, because of a marital crisis, seeks refuge elsewhere. From 1925 to 1927 he stayed in Flanders at The Smet<\/em>, where their artistic exchange is revived. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The letters between the artists testify to a long and deep friendship. This warm and colorful bond is felt throughout the exhibition. Significant combinations of their works are supported by the correspondence they exchanged. The exhibition shows how friendship affects their art and takes the visitor into the tumultuous lives of two artists who continue to support each other during the highs and lows of their existence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the exhibition, a comprehensive, richly illustrated catalog written by guest curator Kees van der Geer will be available. An audio tour developed by spoken word artists has also been created.\u00a0Sjaan Flikweert<\/em>\u00a0and J\u00f6rgen Gario<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Between the works of Leo Gestel <\/em>and Gustave De Smet<\/em> Do you also find a special place: the haiku workstation. A compact, tranquil spot where you can pause, observe, and react to what you see. The content of your haiku can connect to Japonisme, the European fascination with all things Japanese, which is also visible in some of the paintings in the exhibition. Let yourself be carried away by shapes, colors, and atmospheres, and translate your impressions into a small, powerful poem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The exhibition can be visited until September 13, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The exhibition was made possible in part by the Jaap Harten Fund, the Cultural Fund, VVNK1900 and the Countess of Bylandt Foundation. Special thanks go to The Phoebus Foundation.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you want to not just watch, but be involved?\u00a0 You are also welcome at the exclusive curator's lecture on Thursday evening, May 28, especially for Kring members. Read more information about the Kring Bergense School via the button below.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kleurrijke vriendschap 24 april – 13 september 2026 Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar toont de kleurrijke vriendschap tussen de grootmeester van het Vlaams expressionisme Gustave De Smet en Leo Gestel, een van de belangrijkste vernieuwers van de Nederlandse kunst. De tentoonstelling laat zien hoe hun levens innig met elkaar verweven raken en hoe zij elkaar zowel kunstzinnig als persoonlijk be\u00efnvloeden. Een verhaal... Read more \"<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2213,"menu_order":13,"template":"","class_list":["post-771","exhibitions","type-exhibitions","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stedelijkmuseumalkmaar.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exhibitions\/771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stedelijkmuseumalkmaar.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exhibitions"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stedelijkmuseumalkmaar.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/exhibitions"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stedelijkmuseumalkmaar.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/stedelijkmuseumalkmaar.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exhibitions\/771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2753,"href":"https:\/\/stedelijkmuseumalkmaar.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exhibitions\/771\/revisions\/2753"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stedelijkmuseumalkmaar.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stedelijkmuseumalkmaar.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}An artistic exchange<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Boundless friendship<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Public Activities<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Practical information<\/strong>\u202f<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bergen School Circle <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Become a member of the Bergen School Circle and receive an invitation to the festive opening of the exhibition.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n