Exhibition | 45-65. Jan Walravens, art critic

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Professor Hans Vandevoorde invite you to the exhibition ’45–65. Jan Walravens, art critic'.

With a new exhibition and catalogue at the FeliX Art & Eco Museum in Drogenbos, VUB professor and literary scholar Hans Vandevoorde completes the second phase of his sabbatical project. The exhibition ’45–65’ sheds light on the art criticism of Jan Walravens and his influence on the Belgian art scene in the post-war period.

Jan Walravens (1920–1965) was a Belgian writer, art critic, journalist and essayist. Born in Anderlecht, he is regarded as a key figure in post-war Flemish literature. Walravens introduced Sartrean existentialism to Flanders and was one of the driving forces behind literary renewal in the 1950s. Through his work and activities, he became a strong advocate of artistic and social change.

The Walravens project builds on Hans Vandevoorde’s earlier research into August Vermeylen, which in 2024 resulted in the book Quiet Resistance. The War Years of August Vermeylen, 1938–1945 (Lannoo).

Earlier this year, an academic volume on Walravens’ art criticism was also published in the SEL series by Academia Press. Both publications were produced in collaboration with Katrien Vanhamel, a VUB alumna in art history and now a lecturer at the Sorbonne.

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