Editorial

De bie in the collection of the museum of the vatican

EUGENE OF BIE (1914-1983)

"Twenty-four years after his tragic death in Brittany in 1983, Eugène De Bie enters the collections of the Vatican Museums".
July 2007

A RELIGIOUS WORK OF THE BELGIAN PAINTER EUGENE DE BIE ENTERS THE COLLECTIONS OF THE PRESTIGIOUS VATICAN MUSEUMS

"PIETA IN BRITTANY"
Gouache - H 50 X L 65 ca 1960

From catacombs to Romanesque frescoes, Gothic panels to Baroque compositions, Art and Religion have been walking side by side for many centuries. One as mirror and vehicle of faith, the other as a source of inspiration for the greatest geniuses and the most astonishing masterpieces. They are thus united for the better and for the worse, old traveling companions, accomplices of the History and that even to our days.

Like so many other artists, Eugène De Bie has also produced a religious work. Less known, no doubt, than the memories of Brittany or the great imaginary compositions, it would be unworthy, however, to ignore it. The central figure is Christ, whose moving image is reminiscent of the painter Don Quixote dear to the painter. Long haggard figure, bending and stumbling under the burden of his cross and slowly moving towards Calvary. Eyes that look without understanding, hands that interrogate without waiting for any other answer than punishment ... the body crucified and pierced on the side leans in a last call.

The best expression of this pain and suffering is found in a head crowned with thorns. De Bie has used all the nuances of pastel to make this face an image of resignation. Eyes closed and surrounded, features decomposed by agony, livid flesh illuminated by traces of blood, all contribute to make this drawing one of the masterpieces of the artist.

Other works translate more calm and intimacy. This is why we must not see De Bie as a painter eager for mortification and shocking scenes. In the end, it is only a humble look at some scenes of Religious History by an artist who liked to say: "Of course, God alone is an artist, and so similar to little flower, we leave a trace of a shadow, so light it, we believe we have done something.

Didier Paternoster
1992

OTHER RELIGIOUS WORKS OF THE EUGENE PAINTER OF BIE IN A PLACE OF CULTURE

"CHRIST IN CROSS"
Chapel of the Ste-Thérèse School of Ergue-Armel (Brittany) France

"MONUMENTAL CROSS"
Church of St. Mary the Mother of God in Forest-Brussels (Belgium)

"CROSS PATH"
St Martin's Church in Jemappe / Mons (Belgium)
14 paintings of H 80 x L 60

"SAINT-FRANCOIS"
Cathedral of Tempio (Sardinia)

"CHRIST CROWN OF EPINES"
Convent of the Trinitarian Sisters of Valencia-Geneva (Switzerland)

The Way of the Cross of Jemappe / Mons and the Monumental Cross of Forest / Brussels are classified by the Royal Institute for the Artistic Heritage of Belgium (IRPA).

In 1992, an important exhibition of the religious work of Eugène De Bie took place in a whole wing of the Basilica of Koekleberg in Brussels.

Monsignor Danneels, Prima of Belgium, had written the preface to the catalog published on this occasion.

Editorial

De bie in the collection of the museum of the vatican

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