Adrien Wernaers (1899-1977) - Liggend Naakt - Vrouw

Adrien Wernaers (Wernaerts folk nickname) – 'Reading Naked Woman' – Oil on canvas – circa 1900–1940

With a monumental hand-carved gilded frame.

An exceptional and extremely rare work by the Belgian master Adrien Wernaers (Wernaerts), known for his refined figurative painting, atmospheric interior scenes, and virtuosic treatment of skin tones. Wernaers is among the most valued Belgian artists of the Interbellum, with an oeuvre increasingly discovered by international collectors and thus an excellent investment to hang on the wall. Note that these works are very difficult to acquire on the public market.

Description of the work

This impressive painting depicts a young woman, nude and completely relaxed, engrossed in her reading. The composition demonstrates a deep understanding of form, anatomy, and subtlety.
Wernaers' brushwork is gentle but precise.
Warm skin tones with subtle glaze layers.
Muted background in brown and ochre tones.
Perfect balance between sensuality, serenity, and classic refinement.

The pose and atmosphere evoke the great European ateliers of the early 20th century, with echoes of French academism and Belgian intimists.

list

The work is housed in a monumental, richly detailed gilded frame, probably hand-cut and of considerable value in itself.
The list is executed with floral Baroque relief and a deep gold patina that makes the painting feel exceptionally luxurious.

Condition

Oil painting on original canvas, in beautiful, stable condition.
No tears or perforations.
Light varnish aging appropriate for the age.
Heavy antique picture frame in good display condition.
The back side features original atelier markings / reproduction stamp from the period, typical of artists who managed their own archives.

Decorative and artistic value.

A work of this quality and size is rare on the market.
It combines a museum-quality appearance with top-level interior value.
Perfect for:
high-quality collections
art interiors, galleries, and design living rooms
luxurious men's houses and classical salons
Investors seeking work at a stable value level.

This is also an extraordinary Christmas gift for someone you cherish.
We do our utmost to deliver this work before Christmas with timely ordering.

Dimensions (with list)
71 x 86 cm

Technique

Oil painting on canvas – original hand-cut gilded frame

Disclaimer & Additional Conditions (as with your other lots)

We package our artworks with the utmost care to avoid any form of damage. All paintings are professionally cleaned and re-protected for free, ensuring they remain maintenance-free for decades.

Large paintings (+50 cm) are generally only shipped within the EU. Shipping to islands or areas outside the EU may be subject to additional conditions.

Destinations outside Europe & islands

Additional shipping and packaging costs may apply for these locations. These costs are in addition to the Catawiki invoice and must be paid via the seller's bank account number, which will be provided through a private message.

Without payment of these additional costs, a binding sale will not be established, and the work will not be shipped. Buyers from these areas must contact us before the end of the auction to have the exact shipping costs calculated. Pickup is not possible. Very large works are not shipped to islands.

Monaco

Delivery within the stated shipping costs is possible at a pickup point in France, 8 km over the border. Additional charges may apply for direct delivery in Monaco.

Shipping within the EU

We only ship large works within EU countries. The shipping company reserves the right to refuse packages due to size or other reasons. In such cases, the purchase can be canceled. With an additional fee for extra shipping costs, delivery may still be possible.