The Mason

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On September 21, 1895, Minne relocated to Brussels and on December 25, Minne's wife gave birth to twins Marie and Agnes. Minne enrolled himself in the Academy of Fine Arts, which provided him with a valuable model. In 1896, Minne received a state grant that boosted his finances. Despite financial struggles-moreover, he had to relocate several times and finally settled into a small villa in Vorst-and an attack of typhus that nearly cost him his life, the Brussels years turned out to be a remarkably creative period for Minne. The Prodigal Son (1896), Man Grieving over a Dead Deer (1896), Man with a Waterskin (1897), Small Injured Figure (1898), and subsequent versions of kneeling youths, culminating in his absolute masterpiece, Fountain with Kneeling Youths (1898), all emerged from this period. Minne met Henry Van de Velde (1863-1957) while living in Brussels and arranged to visit him at Villa Bloemenwerf in Ukkel. There he met sculptor Constantin Meunier (1831-1905) and art critic Julius Meier-Graefe (1867-1935), who would play a significant role in Minne's international reputation. In 1898, Minne designed a monument for Jean Volders, the socialist foreman who died in 1896, as part of the Partie Ouvrier Belge; however, his model was not accepted by the authorities.