Niobe

Niobe, is distraught, absolutely inconsolable and her tears ‘flow’ incessantly into the river Reie. No wonder, as all fourteen of this mythical mother's children were slaughtered. Niobe liked to boast about her fertility and commanded the residents of the city of Thebe to worship her, instead of Leto, the goddess of motherhood. Apollo and Artemis, Leto's two children, could not stomach this and took ruthless vengeance. The immense loss turned Niobe to stone in grief and her tears became the source of the Greek river Achelous, so the legend goes. Niobe was designed by Constant Permeke (1886-1952), a prominent Flemish expressionist. You will find various works by him in the Groeninge Museum, including his famous canvas ‘De papeters’ (‘Man eating MilkSoup’). Permeke was entirely self-taught in the discipline of sculpture.

Useful to know: the statue of Niobe is on loan to the Permeke Museum in Jabbeke until the end of April 2025, owing to an exhibition.