René Mels (1909-1977) - Composition abstraite aquarelle Circa 1960
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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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René Mels, Composition abstraite aquarelle Circa 1960, 1960, an original aquarelle on paper, 45 × 31.5 cm, signed with monogram RM, Belgium.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
René Mels (1909-1977) – Abstract composition watercolor – Circa 1960 – Monogram RM
René Mels (1909-1977)
Abstract composition
Watercolor on paper, circa 1960
Signature: Monogrammed “RM” at bottom right.
Dimensions: 45 × 31.5 cm
Sold unframed
Condition
Good overall condition. Colors stable, washes well preserved.
On the back: a few small foxing spots and slight waviness of the paper, normal for a studio watercolor.
The front remains neat and luminous.
Description
Beautiful watercolor by René Mels, created around 1960. The sheet is organized into organic masses: dense blacks, purples, blues, greens, and touches of vivid pink that cross the composition like veins. The white paper remains largely visible between the washes and gives rhythm to the color.
One can read a undergrowth, silhouettes, branches, without anything being fixed. The water was left to work: mergings, halos, and drier accents added later. The gesture is free, almost calligraphic. A lively and contrasted studio sheet, typical of Mels’ free-writing in the 1960s, between landscape and lyrical abstraction.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) studied 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 Brussels Palais des Beaux-Arts), 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 handwriting, and expressive chromaticism. In 1950, a state scholarship allowed him to work at Atelier 17 of Stanley William Hayter in Paris. His watercolors, engravings, pastels, 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 – Circa 1960 – Monogram RM
René Mels (1909-1977)
Abstract composition
Watercolor on paper, circa 1960
Signature: Monogrammed “RM” at bottom right.
Dimensions: 45 × 31.5 cm
Sold unframed
Condition
Good overall condition. Colors stable, washes well preserved.
On the back: a few small foxing spots and slight waviness of the paper, normal for a studio watercolor.
The front remains neat and luminous.
Description
Beautiful watercolor by René Mels, created around 1960. The sheet is organized into organic masses: dense blacks, purples, blues, greens, and touches of vivid pink that cross the composition like veins. The white paper remains largely visible between the washes and gives rhythm to the color.
One can read a undergrowth, silhouettes, branches, without anything being fixed. The water was left to work: mergings, halos, and drier accents added later. The gesture is free, almost calligraphic. A lively and contrasted studio sheet, typical of Mels’ free-writing in the 1960s, between landscape and lyrical abstraction.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) studied 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 Brussels Palais des Beaux-Arts), 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 handwriting, and expressive chromaticism. In 1950, a state scholarship allowed him to work at Atelier 17 of Stanley William Hayter in Paris. His watercolors, engravings, pastels, 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 aquarelle Circa 1960
Technique
Watercolour painting
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Belgium
Year
1960
Condition
Good condition
Height
31.5 cm
Width
45 cm
Style
Abstract
Period
1960-1970
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