Focus: Félix Labisse

Born in the North of France, Labisse’s family settles in Flanders after the Première Guerre World War. While predestined for a career as a sailor, he turns to painting starting in 1924 and opens a painting gallery in Ostend a few years later. His first contacts with Magritte date back to the late 1930s. He participates in the Surrealism exhibition organized by the gallery of the Éditions de la Boétie at the end of 1945 alongside Magritte, Sanders, Wergifosse, and Bury. Although Labisse only came on rare occasions to rue Esseghem, his relations with Magritte were very cordial. For example, Labisse organizes a cocktail party at his home in Paris in honor of the opening of Magritte's exhibition at the Galerie du Faubourg, where the canvases of his 'cow period' will be presented. In our temporary exhibition room, discover a series of works by Labisse, including a series of panels intended for the Corman bookstore.