Tytgat grew up in Bruges and Brussels. From 1897 he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels. He was influenced by the Fauvism and Post-Impressionism. Like many of his Flemish colleagues Tytgat was initially influenced by Paul Cezanne, Pierre Bonnard and Ambroise Vollard and he painted in an impressionistic style. Only after the First World War he developed the style with which he became famous.
Tytgat’s favorite subjects were the circus, the fairs (particularly carousels) nudes and interiors. The primitive folk art had a great influence on these paintings.
