The Month of May, 1908

In 1898, Auguste Oleffe was one of the founders of the artistic group Le Labeur. This group, mainly made up of painters from Brussels, wanted to do away with all academic methods and ready-made formulas within the art of painting. With their belief in the creative power of the individual, they strived for innovation and authentic spontaneity. This is where the first foundations of Brabant Fauvism are to be found. In 1897 Oleffe discovers in Paris the work of Edouard Manet and Auguste Renoir, from whom he adopts the colour palette and the loose brushwork. Manet's sharp colour palette is clearly to be found in The Month of May. On the other hand, Oleffe continues the realistic tradition of the North. This search for a new but authentic style has a great influence on his younger colleagues. Oleffe is an important transitional figure towards Brabantine Fauvism.