Minne, George, 1866-1941

George Minne was a Belgian artist, perhaps best known as a sculptor and Symbolist illustrator. Born in Ghent, he studied at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts and began to produce emotionally-charged sculpture and drawings. His work was popular with Symbolist writers, and he illustrated several collections of their poetry. While studying in Brussels, he refined a statue of a kneeling boy that became a prototype of Art Nouveau elegance. Known for his simple, spiritual forms, he preferred small-scale sculpture, exhibiting work throughout Europe, and completing numerous public commissions. During World War II he relocated to Wales, and cultivated a more decorative drawing style that became quite popular when he returned to Belgium.

From the description of George Minne picture postcards to Francis Hyslop, 1938. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 137301049