Alfred Ost

His war experiences, intensified by his bipolar disorder, caused a dark colouring and pessimistic themes to be introduced into his art works. During World War I (1914 to 1918) he lived in Amsterdam, where he was influenced by new avant-garde movements. He developed a personal style, first informed by his social engagement, and later by mystical themes.

The field of work recorded is painting, art of drawing and poster. Work by Alfred Ost is recorded in the collections of Design Museum Gent, Stadsarchief Rotterdam, Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, Mu.ZEE - Kunstmuseum aan Zee and Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

• Name — Alfred Ost • Born — 14 February 1884 • Birthplace — Zwijndrecht • Died — 9 October 1945 • Place of death — Antwerp • Known for — Painting, drawing, illustration, poster • Awards — Bronze Medal 1920 Antwerp Olympics Art Competition • Notable Works — Murals in Xaverius College, Borgerhout, Antwerp. • Illustration — Ink drawing of a ship (1925)

Ost was born in Zwijndrecht near Antwerp, the son of Isidoor Ost (Mechelen, 1847), a coal merchant and Barbara Hamendt (Rupelmonde, 1846). He was the fourth in a family of five children. His family often moved residence. In 1892 the family was registered in Willebroek. Alfred attended there for three years (from 1892 to 1894) the municipal boys' school. In 1895, he left with his brother Urbain for the boarding school 'Institut Saint Berthuin' in Malonne near Namur. Here he would learn French. • Illustration — The pig seller From 1898 to 1901 Ost studied at the Minor Seminary in Hoogstraten. His humanities studies did not suit him as he wished to go to the art academy to become an artist. He was permitted to attend drawing classes at the Antwerp Academy in 1901. The following summer, in 1902, the Ost family left for Mechelen, from which the children had a better train connection to the cities in which they studied. In 1920 he won a bronze medal at the art competition of the Antwerp Olympic Games for his poster Soccer player. • Illustration — Soccer player, awarded bronze medal at 1920 Olympic art competition During the Second World War he found it difficult to adapt to rationing, often losing his ration coupons for food and other necessities. He found shelter, food, and help exchanging his coupons with the Jesuit priests running Xaverius College in Borgerhout, Antwerp. In exchange for the help, he offered a piece of work of a religious nature. The Jesuits liked the work and ordered another, this time for above the entrance of one of the doors leading to a chapel. As there were many positive reactions and a lot of fascination with the style, power, and dynamism of his art, he was asked to make murals throughout the college. The artwork depicts the life of Francis Xavier, the patron saint of the college, and Jesuits active in the college. Because of the war, there was no paint available, so his murals were made with charcoal and woodcoal sticks. Much later, a protective layer was added and today the paintings are still kept at the college.

Alfred Ost is recorded as painter, draftsperson, illustrator, poster artist and photographer.