Jean-Marie Planque (1932-1992) - A figure

Ink Drawing, hand signed,

1985

by Jean-Marie Planque

nk Drawing, 1985
by Jean-Marie Planque

This intense ink drawing from 1985 depicts a solitary standing figure, rendered through dense, repetitive linework and areas of stark contrast. The face is intentionally distorted, built from scratched contours and layered marks, while the background is composed of tightly packed strokes that create a vibrating, almost oppressive pictorial space.

Characteristic of Planque’s late graphic period, the work stands close to Art Brut and post-war European expressionism, privileging psychological presence over physical likeness. The rigid posture, exaggerated hands, and imbalance between light and dark zones convey tension, vulnerability, and an inner sense of isolation. Drawing here functions as a direct act—raw, necessary, and uncompromising.

Executed in ink on paper and signed and dated 1985, the work reflects the artist’s deeply personal approach to figuration, where form emerges through persistence rather than refinement. The drawing is framed in a vintage aluminium frame with glass and is ready to be hung immediately upon arrival, making it a strong acquisition for collectors of expressive post-war drawing and Art Brut–related works.

About the artist:

Jean-Marie Planque (1932–1992) was a Belgian painter and draughtsman whose work occupies a singular place in post-war European art. Born in Tournai and later active in Brussels, Planque led a discreet double life: by day a typographer and civil servant within the European Commission, by night a deeply committed and introspective artist.

Independent by nature, he deliberately avoided affiliation with any artistic movement, developing instead a highly personal visual language. His work ranges from powerful drawings and expressive figuration to abstract, geometric, and calligraphic explorations, often marked by tension between control and emotional intensity. Drawing was central to his practice—not merely preparatory, but a direct and intimate form of expression.

Planque exhibited rarely during his lifetime, making his works particularly sought after today. Posthumous exhibitions and catalogues have since highlighted the coherence and originality of his oeuvre, revealing an artist driven by necessity rather than recognition. His works appeal to collectors who value authenticity, intellectual depth, and the quiet force of an uncompromising artistic vision.


If you read French, the last photos contain additional information about the artist taken from reference books.

Will be well packaged, protected and insured