René Mels (1909-1977) - Belle composition abstraite, 1960 encadrée
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René Mels (1909-1977) presents Belle composition abstraite, 1960 encadrée, a limited edition gravure dated 1960, hand-signed, in a frame, measuring 61.5 x 46.5 cm.
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Description from the seller
René Mels (1909-1977) - Organic Abstract Composition - Rare Colour Engraving (2nd state), circa 1960 - Sheet 51 x 33 cm
• Artist: René Mels (pseudonym of René Meulemans, 1909 Herent – 1977 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert)
• Title: Organic Abstract Composition (untitled)
• Date: Circa 1960
• Technique: Colour engraving (etching, aquatint and mixed media with relief) on paper
• State of the print: 2nd state (noted “2e état” in pencil)
• Signature: Signed “R Mels” in pencil at the bottom right
• Sheet dimensions: 51 x 33 cm
• Framed dimensions: 61.5 x 46.5 cm
• Frame: Original wooden frame (label Atelier Cadri’Art, Brussels – Marcel Dromzée & Fils)
• Condition: Good overall. Small stains visible (mainly in the margins and on the paper, visible in the photos). Original frame in good condition.
Description of the work:
Rare and beautiful colour engraving by René Mels, one of the great Belgian masters of post-war engraving.
This organic and abstract composition, typical of his mature period, blends biomorphic shapes, relief textures and a subtle play of colours (ochres, yellows, green-blues and blacks).
The relief-sculpted elements, the incised lines and the color planes create a rich, tactile surface, characteristic of the artist’s technical explorations (relief printing, worked plates, overlays).
Noted “2e état”, it is a rare intermediate state, bearing witness to the artist’s creative process.
Biography of the artist:
René Mels (born René Meulemans in Herent in 1909, died in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert in 1977) was a Belgian painter, draftsman, engraver, sculptor, ceramist and glass painter. Trained at the Academies of Leuven and Brussels as well as La Cambre, he began in a figurative and expressionist style before turning to abstraction as early as 1947.
A member of the Young Belgian Painting movement, he participated in the founding exhibition at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in 1947. After the war, he worked in Hayter’s and Friedlaender’s studios in Paris and developed an engraver’s practice of great invention
técnical note: etching, aquatint, relief printing, broken or welded plates, and a virtuoso use of color and matter.
His prints are particularly sought after for their rich texture and originality. He donated 123 prints to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
Provenance:
Belgian private collection. Original Brussels frame (Atelier Cadri’Art).
This rare second-state engraving, in its original frame, constitutes a high-quality collectible piece for lovers of modern Belgian engraving and organic abstraction from the 1950s-1960s.
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 TranslateRené Mels (1909-1977) - Organic Abstract Composition - Rare Colour Engraving (2nd state), circa 1960 - Sheet 51 x 33 cm
• Artist: René Mels (pseudonym of René Meulemans, 1909 Herent – 1977 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert)
• Title: Organic Abstract Composition (untitled)
• Date: Circa 1960
• Technique: Colour engraving (etching, aquatint and mixed media with relief) on paper
• State of the print: 2nd state (noted “2e état” in pencil)
• Signature: Signed “R Mels” in pencil at the bottom right
• Sheet dimensions: 51 x 33 cm
• Framed dimensions: 61.5 x 46.5 cm
• Frame: Original wooden frame (label Atelier Cadri’Art, Brussels – Marcel Dromzée & Fils)
• Condition: Good overall. Small stains visible (mainly in the margins and on the paper, visible in the photos). Original frame in good condition.
Description of the work:
Rare and beautiful colour engraving by René Mels, one of the great Belgian masters of post-war engraving.
This organic and abstract composition, typical of his mature period, blends biomorphic shapes, relief textures and a subtle play of colours (ochres, yellows, green-blues and blacks).
The relief-sculpted elements, the incised lines and the color planes create a rich, tactile surface, characteristic of the artist’s technical explorations (relief printing, worked plates, overlays).
Noted “2e état”, it is a rare intermediate state, bearing witness to the artist’s creative process.
Biography of the artist:
René Mels (born René Meulemans in Herent in 1909, died in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert in 1977) was a Belgian painter, draftsman, engraver, sculptor, ceramist and glass painter. Trained at the Academies of Leuven and Brussels as well as La Cambre, he began in a figurative and expressionist style before turning to abstraction as early as 1947.
A member of the Young Belgian Painting movement, he participated in the founding exhibition at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in 1947. After the war, he worked in Hayter’s and Friedlaender’s studios in Paris and developed an engraver’s practice of great invention
técnical note: etching, aquatint, relief printing, broken or welded plates, and a virtuoso use of color and matter.
His prints are particularly sought after for their rich texture and originality. He donated 123 prints to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
Provenance:
Belgian private collection. Original Brussels frame (Atelier Cadri’Art).
This rare second-state engraving, in its original frame, constitutes a high-quality collectible piece for lovers of modern Belgian engraving and organic abstraction from the 1950s-1960s.
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
René Mels (1909-1977)
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Edition
Limited edition
Title of artwork
Belle composition abstraite, 1960 encadrée
Technique
Etching
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Belgium
Year
1960
Condition
Good condition
Height
61.5 cm
Width
46.5 cm
Style
Abstract
Period
1960-1970
Sold with frame
Yes
Sold by
