During World War II, Permeke was forbidden to paint by the German occupiers. His art was seen by them as "Entartete Kunst". His son Paul was arrested and sent to Germany as a forced labourer. After the war, Permeke was made director of the Royal Academy in Antwerp. He only worked there one year. In 1948 his wife died. Emotionally scarred and ailing, Permeke had to be nursed by his daughter.