George Minne, Belgian symbolist sculptor and draughtsman, was born on 30 August 1866 in Ghent. As a symbolic sculptor seeking the sobriety of lines, the emotional strength of his works was soon recognised by Belgian Symbolist poets. A professor at the Academy of Ghent as a living model, he was a member of the first group of Latem, the Sint-Martens-Latem School. This group consisted of symbolist artists. The Kneeling Fountain is an undisputed masterpiece of Symbolist sculpture. Died on February 18, 1866.