Information

Artist: Jos Van Belleghem
Medium: Oil on Canvas 
Dimensions: 50 x 40 cm
Dimensions (Framed): 65 x 55 cm
Date: c.1930s
Condition Report: Good.

Description

This painting presents a  rural farming scene, showing two powerful horses pull a plough across an open field while the farmer walks behind them, partially framed by a dark, wind-shaped tree in the foreground. The carefully considered piece feels natural, with the leaning tree providing structure and depth against the expansive horizon and softly illuminated sky.

The brushwork remains loose and expressive, allowing the scene to feel alive rather than rigidly detailed.

Biography

Jos Van Belleghem (1894–1970) was a Belgian painter and draughtsman closely associated with the landscapes and working life of West Flanders. Born in Beernem, he studied at the Academy of Bruges under the noted artist Flori Van Acker, where he developed a painterly style rooted in close observation and atmospheric light. During the First World War, Van Belleghem served on the Yser front and continued sketching throughout the conflict, experiences that strengthened his attachment to the Flemish countryside and its people.

In 1921 he settled in Veurne, and the surrounding Westhoek region became the enduring focus of his work. He painted village streets, dunes, harbours, and agricultural scenes, often portraying farmers and fishermen.

His paintings are admired for their sensitive handling of colour, and deeply human atmosphere. Through subtle brushwork and carefully balanced compositions, he conveyed not only the appearance of the landscape but also its rhythm, weather, and character.