Het rijk der natuur (from 1928 until 1929)

Frits van den Berghe's painting, "Het rijk der natuur," created between 1928 and 1929, stands as a profound exploration of the complex and often mystifying relationship between human beings and nature. This evocative work intrigues viewers with its dynamic and rather hallucinogenic presentation of figures and forms, which showcase Van den Berghe's unique style that blends elements of surrealism and expressionism.The painting features several figures entwined in an enigmatic interaction. On the left, a striking figure with an elongated, mask-like face and a shimmering blue dress emerges, gazing towards a central scene of interaction. Here, a creature that appears as a hybrid between a human and an animal interacts peculiarly with a nude figure, whose limbs seem disjointed, adding to the ethereal and distorted atmosphere of the composition. This main interaction is layered with complex emotions and seems to evoke themes of connectivity and the primal instincts that tie humans to the natural world.In the background, amidst a subtly vibrant landscape, another distorted form with a horse-like appearance joins this unconventional gathering. The use of vivid colors and the abstract portrayal of forms and faces elicit a sense of primal urgency and mystique, suggesting a narrative much deeper and open-ended, typical of Van den Berghe's artistic period during the late 1920s.Through "Het rijk der natuur," Frits van den Berghe invites viewers into a surreal, introspective journey, questioning the boundaries between the human spirit and the natural realm. By intertwining human and animal elements, the artist reflects on the inherent wildness within the human condition and our perpetual, complex bond with nature.