René Mels (1909-1977) - Belle composition abstraite, 1960





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René Mels (1909-77) – Belle composition abstraite, 1960, an aquarelle on paper, 54.5 × 42 cm overall with the original mat, signed by hand, in good condition, original edition, abstract style, dated 1960.
Description from the seller
René Mels (1909-1977) - Abstract composition
Watercolor on paper, circa 1960
Monogramed 'Rm' at bottom left
Overall dimensions (including original mat): 54.5 × 42 cm
Sold unframed
Condition: Good overall. The original mat shows some defects and small stains.
Beautiful abstract composition by René Mels, dating from circa 1960.
On a nuanced background of beiges, browns, grays and touches of violet, organic forms float and intertwine in a vaporous and lyrical atmosphere.
The washes are broad, fluid, and reveal the texture of the paper. Denser brown-black areas structure the space while touches of blue and pink punctuate the composition with subtle accents.
The work belongs fully to Mels's mature abstract period, in which the painter explores a lyrical and sensitive abstraction, distant from any rigid geometrism.
The softness of transitions, the richness of materials, and the balance between transparency and density make this a particularly harmonious and contemplative piece.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) trained at the Academies of Leuven (Louvain) and Brussels, then at La Cambre.
After an early Expressionist phase influenced by Permeke, he evolved toward abstraction from 1947. An active member of the Young Belgian Painting movement (exhibitions 1947–1948 at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels), he joined the group Art abstrait in 1952 and co-founded Cap d’encre in 1963.
His work is characterized by a concern for construction, a flexibility of writing, and expressive chromaticism. His watercolors, engravings and paintings are included in numerous public Belgian and international collections.
Seller's Story
René Mels (1909-1977) - Abstract composition
Watercolor on paper, circa 1960
Monogramed 'Rm' at bottom left
Overall dimensions (including original mat): 54.5 × 42 cm
Sold unframed
Condition: Good overall. The original mat shows some defects and small stains.
Beautiful abstract composition by René Mels, dating from circa 1960.
On a nuanced background of beiges, browns, grays and touches of violet, organic forms float and intertwine in a vaporous and lyrical atmosphere.
The washes are broad, fluid, and reveal the texture of the paper. Denser brown-black areas structure the space while touches of blue and pink punctuate the composition with subtle accents.
The work belongs fully to Mels's mature abstract period, in which the painter explores a lyrical and sensitive abstraction, distant from any rigid geometrism.
The softness of transitions, the richness of materials, and the balance between transparency and density make this a particularly harmonious and contemplative piece.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) trained at the Academies of Leuven (Louvain) and Brussels, then at La Cambre.
After an early Expressionist phase influenced by Permeke, he evolved toward abstraction from 1947. An active member of the Young Belgian Painting movement (exhibitions 1947–1948 at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels), he joined the group Art abstrait in 1952 and co-founded Cap d’encre in 1963.
His work is characterized by a concern for construction, a flexibility of writing, and expressive chromaticism. His watercolors, engravings and paintings are included in numerous public Belgian and international collections.

