george (georges) morren (1868 - 1941)
George Morren or Georges Morren was a Belgian painter, sculptor, Impressionist and engraver. The painter and friend of the family Emile Claus who taught him and his brothers several times a week served as his first mentor. He began working in an Impressionist style. In the summer of 1892, eschewing the shortened painting process which was associated with Neo-Impressionism, he began to work in a more spontaneous manner, creating more space for emotions. He became one of the most eager admirers of the French Impressionists. After three years in Paris he returned to Antwerp where he participated in several avant-garde groups. Morren created light-flooded paintings, exhibited at the fairs La Libre Esthétique in Brussels, the 'Vie et Lumière', and at numerous international exhibitions. Towards 1913, he entered a new creative period. The colors in his new works were more subdued. He used grated rough pigment and pastels. Morren remained faithful to impressionist ideals and did not participate in new trends, such as Cubism or Expressionism. He dealt with the scenes of everyday life, interiors, still lifes, landscapes and portraits. His palette became darker and his paintings developed a solemnity and clarity of expression.
