Marcus de Vestele (1941-2024) - Composition Cobra
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Marcus de Vestele, Composition Cobra, 1975, watercolor on paper, 41 × 31 cm, framed, original edition, signed and dated at the lower right, Belgium.
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Description from the seller
Marcus de Vestele – Cobra Composition – Watercolor on paper – 1975
Artist: Marcus de Vestele (1941–2024) – Belgium
Dimensions: Framed: 41 × 31 cm
Technique: Watercolor on paper
Presentation: Sold framed in an elegant natural light wood frame with white mount. Ready to hang.
Signature: Signed and dated bottom right “MARCUS /75”.
Back stamp: “Marcus de Vestele – Atelier de l’artiste” (official atelier stamp).
Condition: Very good overall. Small light stains without severity (visible in photos). The frame and mount are in excellent condition.
Provenance: Artist’s studio funds
Period: 1975
Description
Rare Cobra watercolor by Marcus de Vestele, dated 1975. On a bright, luminous yellow background, the artist unfolds a phantasmagoric and energetic composition typical of the Cobra movement. Expressive, spontaneous shapes stand out: a large fantastical bird with bright red plumage and an intense gaze occupies the right side against a blue background, while stylized, totemic, and hybrid silhouettes in blue-gray and black rise on the left and top of the composition, evoking characters or mythical creatures.
The gesture is free, colors are vivid and contrasted (dominant yellow, blue, red, black, brown), forms are simplified and powerful. This work perfectly embodies Cobra aesthetics: raw vitality, instinctive poetry, animal-inspired imagination, and expressive humanity.
Biography
Marcus de Vestele (1941–2024), from Brussels, is a major figure in Belgian contemporary art. Internationally recognized for his monumental abstract marble sculptures (notably from Carrara), he also developed a secret and intense painting practice.
His paintings, gouaches, and watercolors, often inspired by the Cobra spirit and created in the 1970s, were never exhibited during his lifetime. Kept in a secret studio, nearly 200 pictorial works were discovered by his family after his death in 2024. This revelation offers a new and fascinating perspective on his creative universe, where painting and sculpture converse in the same expressive, colorful, and gestural quest.
His watercolors, long unseen, reveal great freshness, constant inventiveness, and instinctive freedom that beautifully complements his sculptural work.
Seller's Story
About SR Fine Art
With nearly 28 years of experience in the art market, I am passionate about rediscovering artists’ studios and bringing their works to a wide audience on Catawiki.
I specialize in Belgian and European modern and contemporary art. My flagship collection is the studio archive of Robert Detheux (nearly 1,500 works on paper). I also offer surrealist drawings, beautiful abstract paintings from the 1950s, magnificent nude photographs by Michel Pinel, contemporary paintings, Cobra compositions, and works by Marcus de Vestele, Gundi Falk, René Mels, Eugène Eechaut and many others.
From intimate drawings to large formats, there is something for every taste and every budget. The vast majority of my auctions start at 1 € with no reserve price, giving everyone the chance to acquire unique pieces.
Every shipment is prepared with the utmost care using professional museum-quality packaging to ensure perfect condition upon arrival.
Join my growing community of satisfied clients and follow my new auctions to discover rare works from these exceptional studios.
Thank you for your trust and happy bidding!
SR Fine Art
Translated by Google TranslateMarcus de Vestele – Cobra Composition – Watercolor on paper – 1975
Artist: Marcus de Vestele (1941–2024) – Belgium
Dimensions: Framed: 41 × 31 cm
Technique: Watercolor on paper
Presentation: Sold framed in an elegant natural light wood frame with white mount. Ready to hang.
Signature: Signed and dated bottom right “MARCUS /75”.
Back stamp: “Marcus de Vestele – Atelier de l’artiste” (official atelier stamp).
Condition: Very good overall. Small light stains without severity (visible in photos). The frame and mount are in excellent condition.
Provenance: Artist’s studio funds
Period: 1975
Description
Rare Cobra watercolor by Marcus de Vestele, dated 1975. On a bright, luminous yellow background, the artist unfolds a phantasmagoric and energetic composition typical of the Cobra movement. Expressive, spontaneous shapes stand out: a large fantastical bird with bright red plumage and an intense gaze occupies the right side against a blue background, while stylized, totemic, and hybrid silhouettes in blue-gray and black rise on the left and top of the composition, evoking characters or mythical creatures.
The gesture is free, colors are vivid and contrasted (dominant yellow, blue, red, black, brown), forms are simplified and powerful. This work perfectly embodies Cobra aesthetics: raw vitality, instinctive poetry, animal-inspired imagination, and expressive humanity.
Biography
Marcus de Vestele (1941–2024), from Brussels, is a major figure in Belgian contemporary art. Internationally recognized for his monumental abstract marble sculptures (notably from Carrara), he also developed a secret and intense painting practice.
His paintings, gouaches, and watercolors, often inspired by the Cobra spirit and created in the 1970s, were never exhibited during his lifetime. Kept in a secret studio, nearly 200 pictorial works were discovered by his family after his death in 2024. This revelation offers a new and fascinating perspective on his creative universe, where painting and sculpture converse in the same expressive, colorful, and gestural quest.
His watercolors, long unseen, reveal great freshness, constant inventiveness, and instinctive freedom that beautifully complements his sculptural work.
Seller's Story
About SR Fine Art
With nearly 28 years of experience in the art market, I am passionate about rediscovering artists’ studios and bringing their works to a wide audience on Catawiki.
I specialize in Belgian and European modern and contemporary art. My flagship collection is the studio archive of Robert Detheux (nearly 1,500 works on paper). I also offer surrealist drawings, beautiful abstract paintings from the 1950s, magnificent nude photographs by Michel Pinel, contemporary paintings, Cobra compositions, and works by Marcus de Vestele, Gundi Falk, René Mels, Eugène Eechaut and many others.
From intimate drawings to large formats, there is something for every taste and every budget. The vast majority of my auctions start at 1 € with no reserve price, giving everyone the chance to acquire unique pieces.
Every shipment is prepared with the utmost care using professional museum-quality packaging to ensure perfect condition upon arrival.
Join my growing community of satisfied clients and follow my new auctions to discover rare works from these exceptional studios.
Thank you for your trust and happy bidding!
SR Fine Art
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Artist
Marcus de Vestele (1941-2024)
Sold with frame
Yes
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Edition
Original
Title of artwork
Composition Cobra
Technique
Watercolour painting
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Belgium
Year
1975
Condition
Good condition
Height
31 cm
Width
41 cm
Depiction/theme
Portrait
Style
Cobra
Period
1970-1980
Sold by
