Reveals the ongoing influence and relevance of Belgian symbolism, Flemish expressionism, and surrealism in the work of 25 contemporary artists.

Witty and Macabre explores the ongoing influence of Symbolism, Flemish Expressionism, and Surrealism on contemporary art. Robert Zeller, author ofNew Surrealism, begins by providing a brief historical overview of the Symbolists, the Flemish Expressionists, and the Belgian variant of Surrealism, featuring work by James Ensor, Ren Magritte, Paul Delvaux, and many others.

Zeller then offers a survey of work by an international array of 25 artists currently working in Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, and other locales in Belgium, including Luc Tuymans, Sanam Khatibi, Michal Borremans, Aline Bouvy, Thomas Lerooy, and others. Visually stunning, the book demonstrates the unique fusion of Nordic and Romantic influences that defined the art of the Lowlands for centuries is still relevant to an international group of artists working in Belgium today.

• Gathers 195 works of art to demonstrate the influence and impact of Belgian Symbolism, Flemish Expressionism, and Surrealism on contemporary art.

• Features 25 contemporary artists spanning an intriguing range, from those starting their careers to those of international standing.

• Coversoften-overlooked figures in Belgian art, such as Jane Gaverol, a groundbreaking Belgian Surrealist; Gustave de Smet, one of the original Flemish Expressionists; and Paul Noug, an important Surrealist theorist and, in a sense, the Belgian equivalent to Andr Breton, the leader of the Parisian Surrealist movement.

[AuthorName]By Robert Zeller[/AuthorName][AuthorBio]Robert Zeller is a visual artist, writer, and curator. He has written about art for the Brooklyn Rail, Sothebys, National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, and many other publications, online and in print. His previous books include New Surrealism: The Uncanny in Contemporary Painting. www.robertzeller.com[/AuthorBio][NumIllustration]200 color images[/NumIllustration][CoAuthor][/CoAuthor][SubTitle]The Legacy of Belgian Symbolism, Expressionism, and Surrealism in Contemporary Art[/SubTitle][ColorPattern]200 color images[/ColorPattern]