René Mels (1909-1977) - Composition aquarelle et encre – Circa 1965
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€ 37
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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
 | €37 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €30 | |
| €28 | |
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René Mels (1909–1977) — Composition aquarelle et encre – Circa 1965, original edition in watercolour and ink on paper, 50 × 40 cm, monogrammed signature “M”, Belgium, in good condition with a modern passe-partout and unframed.
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Description from the seller
René Mels (1909-1977) – Watercolor and ink composition – Circa 1960-1965 – Monogram M
René Mels (1909-1977)
Composition
Watercolor and ink on paper, circa 1960-1965
Signature: Monogrammed “M” at the bottom right.
Dimensions: 50 × 40 cm with a modern mat
Sold with mat, not framed
Condition
Good overall. Washes stable, ink sharp, paper sound.
A small, pale, pinpoint stain near the signature, visible up close, not hindering readability.
The front remains vivid and contrasted.
Description
Beautiful sheet by René Mels created circa 1960-1965. The watercolor first lays down the masses: deep blues, ochres, a bright green, a dark red-burgundy on the right. On top, the black ink winds, hatches, scratches: loops, cross-hatching, a column of zigzags crossing the center.
The drawing does not depict: it accelerates the color. One can read a figure, a bouquet, a grove, without anything settling into a fixed form. The paper remains visible in places and gives air to the gesture.
A nerve-toned, chromatic studio work, typical of Mels at this moment: lyrical washes and a nearly calligraphic writing.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) trained at the Academies of Leuven and Brussels, then at La Cambre. After an expressionist start influenced by Permeke, he evolved from 1947 toward abstraction. An active member of Young Belgian Painting (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 construction concern, a flexible writing style, and expressive chromaticism. In 1950, a state grant enabled him to work at Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17 in Paris.
His watercolors, prints, pastels and paintings are held in numerous public Belgian and international collections, 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) – Watercolor and ink composition – Circa 1960-1965 – Monogram M
René Mels (1909-1977)
Composition
Watercolor and ink on paper, circa 1960-1965
Signature: Monogrammed “M” at the bottom right.
Dimensions: 50 × 40 cm with a modern mat
Sold with mat, not framed
Condition
Good overall. Washes stable, ink sharp, paper sound.
A small, pale, pinpoint stain near the signature, visible up close, not hindering readability.
The front remains vivid and contrasted.
Description
Beautiful sheet by René Mels created circa 1960-1965. The watercolor first lays down the masses: deep blues, ochres, a bright green, a dark red-burgundy on the right. On top, the black ink winds, hatches, scratches: loops, cross-hatching, a column of zigzags crossing the center.
The drawing does not depict: it accelerates the color. One can read a figure, a bouquet, a grove, without anything settling into a fixed form. The paper remains visible in places and gives air to the gesture.
A nerve-toned, chromatic studio work, typical of Mels at this moment: lyrical washes and a nearly calligraphic writing.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) trained at the Academies of Leuven and Brussels, then at La Cambre. After an expressionist start influenced by Permeke, he evolved from 1947 toward abstraction. An active member of Young Belgian Painting (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 construction concern, a flexible writing style, and expressive chromaticism. In 1950, a state grant enabled him to work at Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17 in Paris.
His watercolors, prints, pastels and paintings are held in numerous public Belgian and international collections, 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
Composition aquarelle et encre – Circa 1965
Technique
Watercolour painting
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Belgium
Year
1965
Condition
Good condition
Height
50 cm
Width
40 cm
Style
Abstract
Period
1960-1970
Sold by
