Emile Van Doren Municipal Museum

Brussels artist Emile Van Doren (1865-1949) said, ''Genk was built to be painted''.

Emile Van Doren was a talented landscape artist who, like so many others, came to the extensive Kempen heath to catch the true romantic landscape in paint and on canvas. The list is endless: Théodore Baron, Théodore Fourmois, Alphonse Asselberghs, Franz Courtens and Edmond de Schampheleer all came to paint the unspoilt Genk scenery.

As one of Joseph Coosemans' students Emile van Doren came to paint in Genk in the 1880s too and he was one of those who stayed. Together with his wife he ran the ‘Hôtel Hotel des Artistes’ close to the station. Painters, writers, and well-to-do citizens came to stay.

Later, in 1913, he had a villa built on the Verloren Kostweg to retreat in peace and to dedicate himself fully to his art.

This is the same villa that houses the Emile Van Doren museum.

Visitors enter an authentic artist's home, where Van Doren's living- and working conditions have barely been changed.

The furniture shows a typically romantic taste: neo styles are combined with early Art Nouveau. The artist's studio is large, with an unfinished painting on an easel. From the dining room he must have had a magnificent view of the Molen ponds.

Van Doren's success was significant. Even the Royals bought some of his work.

You can visit the museum every sunday from 2 pm to 6 pm (except on holidays).

Admission is free.

Museum Emile Van Doren
Henri Decleenestraat 21
3600 GENK

Information:

cultuur@genk.be 

T. +32 (0)89 65 38 10

Photos:

- Emile Van Doren, Heidelandschap te Genk
- Joseph Coosemans, Moeras te Genk
- Isidore Verheyden, Watermolen te Genk