René Mels (1909-1977) - Belle composition abstraite, 1960
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€ 28
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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 - € 400
 | €28 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €23 | |
| €18 | |
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René Mels, Belle composition abstraite, 1960, a watercolor on paper (aquarelle) from 1960, original edition, 42 cm high by 54.5 cm wide, signed with RM monogram in the bottom right, in good condition, country of origin Belgium, sold by private owner or dealer, includes its original passe-partout and is unframed.
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Description from the seller
René Mels (1909-1977)
Abstract composition
Watercolor on paper, circa 1960
Signature: Monogrammed “RM” in the lower right corner.
Total dimensions (with mat): 54.5 × 42 cm
Sold with its original mat
Sold unframed
Condition: Good overall condition of the watercolor. Fresh colors, preserved transparencies and contrasts. The paper retains its texture and brightness. The original mat shows some imperfections and stains, to note.
Beautiful watercolor by René Mels, created around 1960, in a period of full maturity of his lyrical abstraction.
The composition is organized around a sunny and contrasted palette: golden yellows and warm ochres dominate, crossed by masses of blue (from sky blue to deep blue) and reserves of white.
Earthy brown touches and a few dark accents, almost calligraphic, rhythm the space. The broad flat areas sit atop fluid washes and more nervous gestures.
Rounded shapes and organic blotches dialogue with verticals and drier traces, allusively evoking a landscape or stylized vegetation, without ever leaving the realm of abstraction.
This piece well illustrates Mels’s search in the 1960s: spontaneous writing, expressive chromaticism, balance between structure and freedom of gesture. The transparencies of the watercolor and the paper’s reserves bring light and depth. It sits in the continuity of his research where engraving and wash nourish an increasingly fluid and sensorial painting.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) was trained at the Academies of Leuven and Brussels, then at La Cambre. After an early Expressionist phase 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 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 flexible writing, and expressive chromaticism. In 1950, a state grant allowed him to work at Atelier 17 of Stanley William Hayter in Paris.
His watercolors, etchings and paintings feature in numerous public collections in Belgium and internationally, notably at 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, circa 1960
Signature: Monogrammed “RM” in the lower right corner.
Total dimensions (with mat): 54.5 × 42 cm
Sold with its original mat
Sold unframed
Condition: Good overall condition of the watercolor. Fresh colors, preserved transparencies and contrasts. The paper retains its texture and brightness. The original mat shows some imperfections and stains, to note.
Beautiful watercolor by René Mels, created around 1960, in a period of full maturity of his lyrical abstraction.
The composition is organized around a sunny and contrasted palette: golden yellows and warm ochres dominate, crossed by masses of blue (from sky blue to deep blue) and reserves of white.
Earthy brown touches and a few dark accents, almost calligraphic, rhythm the space. The broad flat areas sit atop fluid washes and more nervous gestures.
Rounded shapes and organic blotches dialogue with verticals and drier traces, allusively evoking a landscape or stylized vegetation, without ever leaving the realm of abstraction.
This piece well illustrates Mels’s search in the 1960s: spontaneous writing, expressive chromaticism, balance between structure and freedom of gesture. The transparencies of the watercolor and the paper’s reserves bring light and depth. It sits in the continuity of his research where engraving and wash nourish an increasingly fluid and sensorial painting.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) was trained at the Academies of Leuven and Brussels, then at La Cambre. After an early Expressionist phase 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 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 flexible writing, and expressive chromaticism. In 1950, a state grant allowed him to work at Atelier 17 of Stanley William Hayter in Paris.
His watercolors, etchings and paintings feature in numerous public collections in Belgium and internationally, notably at 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
Belle composition abstraite, 1960
Technique
Watercolour painting
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Belgium
Year
1960
Condition
Good condition
Height
42 cm
Width
54.5 cm
Style
Abstract
Period
1960-1970
Sold by
