The River Lys at Astene c. 1885.

In this early work Emile Claus tackles his favourite theme rural life on the banks of the river Lys near Astene in the province of East Flanders. He spent his summers in the area before settling there permanently in 1886. He continued throughout his life to paint sunny images of countrypeople and nature though his style evolved later in the 1890s in the direction of Impressionism.