Robert Detheux (1932-2010) - Le bel igérant
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Robert Detheux (1932-2010), Le bel igérant, a 1978 mixed-media portrait on paper, 49.5 × 40 cm, in original edition and signed, of Belgian origin.
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Description from the seller
Robert Detheux (1932-2010) - « Le bel igérant » – Surrealist portrait with clouded head (Officer), 1978 - Mixed media on paper signed
Description:
Robert Detheux (1932-2010) Belgian School
"Le bel igérant" – Surrealist portrait with a clouded head (Officer), 1978
Mixed media (charcoal, watercolor, white highlights and texture effects) on paper
Signed and dated "Detheux 78" at bottom left
Dimensions: 49.5 × 40 cm
Sold unframed
This work is part of the series "Le bel igérant".
Condition: Very good overall. Beautiful presence, intact contrasts and freshness of whites and grays. Natural traces related to the technique (overlays and textures intended by the artist).
Description:
A major work in the series "Le bel igérant" (1978), this surrealist portrait depicts a hybrid figure in a military uniform (epaulette jacket, decorations, belt), whose head is replaced by a white, wispy, filamentous, cloud-like mass that seems to explode or evaporate into space. The anthracite gray background and the flesh-plesh pink touches on the uniform strengthen the enigmatic and poetic character of the composition.
Detheux excels at balancing realistic depiction of the body/attire with dreamlike abstraction of the head, creating a powerful tension between authority, identity and dissolution. Typical of his late-1970s period and of the series "Le bel igérant", this work powerfully explores themes of masks, metamorphosis and the unconscious.
A very beautiful example of Detheux’s surreal maturity: unsettling, poetic and highly decorative.
Provenance:
Artist’s studio collection (acquired directly).
Artist biography:
Born in Brussels in 1932 and passed away in 2010, Robert Detheux is a singular, demanding, and deeply endearing figure in Belgian art of the 20th century. A graduate of the Saint-Luc Institute of Fine Arts in Brussels, he taught graphical expression at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tournai from 1960 to 1996, while developing a personal body of work of great coherence and remarkable freedom, far from the dominant currents.
His artistic journey unfolds in several major periods:
- From the 1950s-1960s, he asserted a powerful surrealist and expressionist language marked by intense portraits and dreamlike compositions;
- In the 1970s, he explored with sensuality and obsession the theme of the female body;
- The 1980s-1990s saw the emergence of a more hybrid, grotesque and theatrical universe blending erotism, black humor and poetry;
- Finally, the 2000-2010 period is one of complete maturity with spectral portraits and intensely luminous appearances.
Little exposed during his lifetime by choice, Robert Detheux created, entirely independently, an intimate, subversive and poetic universe that belongs only to him.
The recent unveiling of his substantial workshop collection (nearly 1500 works on paper) has enabled a major rediscovery.
Today his work enjoys legitimate and growing enthusiasm among discerning collectors in Belgium, Spain and across Europe.
A master of drawing, mixed media and collage, Detheux left behind an authentic, vibrant and timeless body of work that continues to surprise and captivate with its evocative power, deep humanity, caustic humor and modernity.
Collecting Detheux is to enter a unique dreamlike world, populated by hybrid figures, waking dreams and subtly concealed social critiques.
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 TranslateRobert Detheux (1932-2010) - « Le bel igérant » – Surrealist portrait with clouded head (Officer), 1978 - Mixed media on paper signed
Description:
Robert Detheux (1932-2010) Belgian School
"Le bel igérant" – Surrealist portrait with a clouded head (Officer), 1978
Mixed media (charcoal, watercolor, white highlights and texture effects) on paper
Signed and dated "Detheux 78" at bottom left
Dimensions: 49.5 × 40 cm
Sold unframed
This work is part of the series "Le bel igérant".
Condition: Very good overall. Beautiful presence, intact contrasts and freshness of whites and grays. Natural traces related to the technique (overlays and textures intended by the artist).
Description:
A major work in the series "Le bel igérant" (1978), this surrealist portrait depicts a hybrid figure in a military uniform (epaulette jacket, decorations, belt), whose head is replaced by a white, wispy, filamentous, cloud-like mass that seems to explode or evaporate into space. The anthracite gray background and the flesh-plesh pink touches on the uniform strengthen the enigmatic and poetic character of the composition.
Detheux excels at balancing realistic depiction of the body/attire with dreamlike abstraction of the head, creating a powerful tension between authority, identity and dissolution. Typical of his late-1970s period and of the series "Le bel igérant", this work powerfully explores themes of masks, metamorphosis and the unconscious.
A very beautiful example of Detheux’s surreal maturity: unsettling, poetic and highly decorative.
Provenance:
Artist’s studio collection (acquired directly).
Artist biography:
Born in Brussels in 1932 and passed away in 2010, Robert Detheux is a singular, demanding, and deeply endearing figure in Belgian art of the 20th century. A graduate of the Saint-Luc Institute of Fine Arts in Brussels, he taught graphical expression at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tournai from 1960 to 1996, while developing a personal body of work of great coherence and remarkable freedom, far from the dominant currents.
His artistic journey unfolds in several major periods:
- From the 1950s-1960s, he asserted a powerful surrealist and expressionist language marked by intense portraits and dreamlike compositions;
- In the 1970s, he explored with sensuality and obsession the theme of the female body;
- The 1980s-1990s saw the emergence of a more hybrid, grotesque and theatrical universe blending erotism, black humor and poetry;
- Finally, the 2000-2010 period is one of complete maturity with spectral portraits and intensely luminous appearances.
Little exposed during his lifetime by choice, Robert Detheux created, entirely independently, an intimate, subversive and poetic universe that belongs only to him.
The recent unveiling of his substantial workshop collection (nearly 1500 works on paper) has enabled a major rediscovery.
Today his work enjoys legitimate and growing enthusiasm among discerning collectors in Belgium, Spain and across Europe.
A master of drawing, mixed media and collage, Detheux left behind an authentic, vibrant and timeless body of work that continues to surprise and captivate with its evocative power, deep humanity, caustic humor and modernity.
Collecting Detheux is to enter a unique dreamlike world, populated by hybrid figures, waking dreams and subtly concealed social critiques.
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
Robert Detheux (1932-2010)
Sold with frame
No
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Edition
Original
Title of artwork
Le bel igérant
Technique
Mixed media
Signature
Signed
Country of origin
Belgium
Year
1978
Condition
Good condition
Height
49.5 cm
Width
40 cm
Depiction/theme
Portrait
Style
Surrealism
Period
1970-1980
Sold by
