René Mels (1909-1977) - Composition abstraite
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€ 30
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Selected by Giulia Couzzi
Master’s in culture and arts innovation, with a decade in 20th-21st century Italian art.
Estimate € 300 - € 380
 | €30 | |
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 | €30 | |
| €25 | |
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René Mels, Composition abstraite, a 1974 original watercolour on paper, 40 × 50 cm, signed by hand, from Belgium, sold by owner or dealer, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
René Mels (1909-1977)
Abstract composition
Watercolor on paper, 1974
Signature: Signed and dated “RM 74” at the bottom left.
Total dimensions (with the white mount): 50 × 40 cm
Sold with white mount
Sold unframed
Condition:
Good overall condition of the watercolor. Fresh colors and intact contrasts. The paper preserves its texture and luminosity. Some infinitesimal pigment traces on the verso (blue, green, magenta), with no impact on the recto. The white mount is clean.
Description:
Beautiful watercolor by René Mels dating from 1974, produced in the final years of his career.
The work unfolds a lyrical and gestural composition, dominated by a palette of deep blues, emerald greens and mauve pinks, punctuated by touches of bright orange and lighter washes. Large flat areas overlay expressive brushstrokes and supple dark verticals.
rounded shapes — blues, pinks, creams — dialogue with orange accents, allusively evoking a landscape or stylized vegetation, without ever abandoning the realm of abstraction.
This late piece illustrates the maturity of Mels’ lyrical abstraction: spontaneous writing, expressive chromaticism, balance between structure and freedom of gesture. The transparency of the watercolor and the reserves of the paper bring light and depth.
It sits in the continuity of his explorations in the 1960s-1970s, where engraving and wash nourish an increasingly fluid and sensorial painting.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) trained at the Academies of Leuven (Louvain) and Brussels, then at La Cambre. After an early expressionism influenced by Permeke, he moved toward abstraction from 1947. An active member of Jeune Peinture Belge (exhibitions 1947-1948 at the Palais des Beaux-Arts, 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 flexible mode of writing, and expressive chromaticism. In 1950, a state scholarship allowed him to work at Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17 in Paris. His watercolors, prints and paintings are held in numerous public Belgian and international collections, notably the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
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)
Abstract composition
Watercolor on paper, 1974
Signature: Signed and dated “RM 74” at the bottom left.
Total dimensions (with the white mount): 50 × 40 cm
Sold with white mount
Sold unframed
Condition:
Good overall condition of the watercolor. Fresh colors and intact contrasts. The paper preserves its texture and luminosity. Some infinitesimal pigment traces on the verso (blue, green, magenta), with no impact on the recto. The white mount is clean.
Description:
Beautiful watercolor by René Mels dating from 1974, produced in the final years of his career.
The work unfolds a lyrical and gestural composition, dominated by a palette of deep blues, emerald greens and mauve pinks, punctuated by touches of bright orange and lighter washes. Large flat areas overlay expressive brushstrokes and supple dark verticals.
rounded shapes — blues, pinks, creams — dialogue with orange accents, allusively evoking a landscape or stylized vegetation, without ever abandoning the realm of abstraction.
This late piece illustrates the maturity of Mels’ lyrical abstraction: spontaneous writing, expressive chromaticism, balance between structure and freedom of gesture. The transparency of the watercolor and the reserves of the paper bring light and depth.
It sits in the continuity of his explorations in the 1960s-1970s, where engraving and wash nourish an increasingly fluid and sensorial painting.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) trained at the Academies of Leuven (Louvain) and Brussels, then at La Cambre. After an early expressionism influenced by Permeke, he moved toward abstraction from 1947. An active member of Jeune Peinture Belge (exhibitions 1947-1948 at the Palais des Beaux-Arts, 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 flexible mode of writing, and expressive chromaticism. In 1950, a state scholarship allowed him to work at Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17 in Paris. His watercolors, prints and paintings are held in numerous public Belgian and international collections, notably the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
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 with frame
No
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Edition
Original
Title of artwork
Composition abstraite
Technique
Watercolour painting
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Belgium
Year
1974
Condition
Good condition
Height
40 cm
Width
50 cm
Style
Abstract
Period
1970-1980
Sold by
