René Mels (1909-1977) - Composition abstraite aquarelle Circa 1960
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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
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René Mels, Composition abstraite aquarelle Circa 1960, an original watercolour on paper by René Mels (1909–1977), signed with RM monogram, circa 1960, 25 × 38.5 cm, Belgium, in good condition.
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Description from the seller
René Mels (1909-1977) – Abstract composition, watercolor – Circa 1960 – Monogrammed RM
René Mels (1909-1977)
Abstract Composition
Watercolor on paper, circa 1960
Signature: Monogrammed “RM” at the bottom right.
Dimensions: 38.5 × 25 cm
Sold unframed
Condition
Good overall condition. Colors stable, washes well preserved, paper sound.
On the verso: some handling marks and light, old halos, without affecting the front.
The recto remains sharp and luminous.
Description
Beautiful watercolor by René Mels created around 1960. The sheet opens into a free composition, between landscape and lyrical abstraction. Blue, brown and ochre masses dissolve in the water, meet, and overlap.
A pale yellow island, a green blot, a dense intense blue on the right: color circulates without a firm contour. The paper remains largely visible and gives air to the pigment.
The gesture is that of a painter who knows watercolor: broad washes, controlled fusions, a few darker accents laid down last. One can read a sky, a massif, a earth, without anything becoming fixed. A vibrant, chromatic studio sheet, typical of Mels’ free-writing in the 1960s.
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 in 1947 toward abstraction.
An active member of Young Belgian Painting (exhibitions 1947-1948 at the Palace of Fine 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, supple writing, and expressive chromatics. In 1950, a state grant enabled him to work at Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17 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 – Monogrammed RM
René Mels (1909-1977)
Abstract Composition
Watercolor on paper, circa 1960
Signature: Monogrammed “RM” at the bottom right.
Dimensions: 38.5 × 25 cm
Sold unframed
Condition
Good overall condition. Colors stable, washes well preserved, paper sound.
On the verso: some handling marks and light, old halos, without affecting the front.
The recto remains sharp and luminous.
Description
Beautiful watercolor by René Mels created around 1960. The sheet opens into a free composition, between landscape and lyrical abstraction. Blue, brown and ochre masses dissolve in the water, meet, and overlap.
A pale yellow island, a green blot, a dense intense blue on the right: color circulates without a firm contour. The paper remains largely visible and gives air to the pigment.
The gesture is that of a painter who knows watercolor: broad washes, controlled fusions, a few darker accents laid down last. One can read a sky, a massif, a earth, without anything becoming fixed. A vibrant, chromatic studio sheet, typical of Mels’ free-writing in the 1960s.
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 in 1947 toward abstraction.
An active member of Young Belgian Painting (exhibitions 1947-1948 at the Palace of Fine 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, supple writing, and expressive chromatics. In 1950, a state grant enabled him to work at Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17 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
25 cm
Width
38.5 cm
Style
Abstract
Period
1960-1970
Sold by
