Maurice Sys (1880-1972) was a major Belgian painter of the Second School of Sint-Martens-Latem, renowned for his luminous landscapes, atmospheric seascapes and poetic scenes of Flemish rural life.

Training at the Ghent Royal Academy

Born on 19 May 1880 in Ghent, Maurice Sys studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent under Jean Delvin and Louis Tytgadt. He quickly joined the Sint-Martens-Latem artists’ colony and embraced the emerging luminist and expressionist movements.

Member of the Second Latem School

Close to Constant Permeke, Gustave De Smet and Frits Van den Berghe, Sys belonged to the second generation of the legendary Latem School. His style combines loose impressionist brushwork with deep expressionist emotion and an extraordinary sensitivity to light.

Favourite subjects

His most sought-after works depict the Belgian coast (Nieuwpoort, Ostend, Knokke), the banks of the Scheldt and Lys rivers, polders and rural interiors. Maurice Sys masterfully captures fleeting moments: morning mists, dramatic skies and golden reflections on the North Sea.

Exhibitions & recognition

• Regular exhibitions in Ghent, Brussels, Paris and The Hague
• Salons of the Cercle Artistique et Littéraire, Brussels
• Works in Belgian public collections and major European private collections

Current market value (2025)

In 2025, Maurice Sys enjoys a spectacular revaluation. High-quality Flemish landscapes and seascapes regularly achieve €15,000 to €45,000 at auction, with exceptional pieces reaching up to €80,000.

Discover our exclusive selection of authenticated works by Maurice Sys – each painting delivered with certificate and full provenance.