Roger-Edgard Gillet (1924-2004) - Portrait (sans titre)

Roger Edgar Gillet (French, 1924–2004)
Portrait (untitled) from the 60s-70s, oil on wood, signed and dated 'R.E. Gillet' at the bottom right.
With label Galerie Ariel verso Provenance: Galerie Ariel, Paris
Dimensions: (Frame) 61 cm x 53 cm (Painting) 45 cm x 38 cm



Roger-Edgar Gillet

Born in 1924 in Paris, Roger-Edgar Gillet attended the École Boulle from 1939 to 1943. He then taught at the Académie Julian from 1946 to 1948, where he met Thérèse, who would become his wife.

Roger-Edgar Gillet initially proposed an abstract work. He participated in several exhibitions organized by critics Michel Tapié and Charles Estienne. He was then associated with European lyrical abstraction, also known as Art informel or the New School of Paris, with painters such as Georges Mathieu, Pierre Alechinsky, Jean Messagier, Serge Poliakoff, Jean-Paul Riopelle, Jean Fautrier, Hans Hartung, Zao Wou-Ki...

From the 1960s onwards, he turned towards figuration, and humanity became the central subject of his work. His production is clearly presented in the form of series: the Lice, the Judges, the Bigots, Marilyn, the Musicians, the Mutants... Moreover, he does not hesitate to cite themes from religious painting such as The Last Supper or the Crucifixion. He also addresses landscapes through his Cities and Seascapes.

Historically, Gillet has affinities with Goya and the Flemish artist James Ensor, and in the 20th century, he can be linked to New Figuration and the Expressionist movement.