René Mels (1909-1977) - Composition abstraite de 1965
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René Mels (1909–1977) – Composition abstraite de 1965, original 1965 aquarelle et encre on paper, 44 × 29 cm, signed by hand, in good condition, Belgium, sold by owner or dealer.
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Description from the seller
René Mels (1909-1977) – Composition – around 1965 – Watercolor and ink – Signed
René Mels (1909-1977)
Composition Watercolor and ink on paper, around 1965
Signature
Monogram “RM” in the bottom left. No date inscribed. Verso blank.
Dimensions 44 × 29 cm
Sold unframed
Condition
Nice sheet, tones retained. Paper slightly yellowed with time, visible grain, a few handling creases and light waves. No major losses visible. The recto remains clear. See photos.
Description
Watercolor and ink, untitled, dated around 1965. The sheet is covered with browns washes, bright blue, pink, carmine and violet, with olive and ochre passages. The black ink runs over it: curls, hatchings, free lines, a large arabesque in the bottom left. The stains stay open, the white of the paper peeks through in places. The gesture is firmer and more graphic than in the 1975 watercolors: the line sustains the composition as much as the color.
This is a sheet from the abstract period, after Abstract Art and around Cap d’encre, where Mels blends wash and writing. Horizontal, compact format. Color is laid down in blocks, the line on top, without description.
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 shifts in 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 concern for construction, fluency of writing and expressive chromaticism. In 1950, a state grant allowed him to work at Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17 in Paris.
His watercolors, etchings, 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) – Composition – around 1965 – Watercolor and ink – Signed
René Mels (1909-1977)
Composition Watercolor and ink on paper, around 1965
Signature
Monogram “RM” in the bottom left. No date inscribed. Verso blank.
Dimensions 44 × 29 cm
Sold unframed
Condition
Nice sheet, tones retained. Paper slightly yellowed with time, visible grain, a few handling creases and light waves. No major losses visible. The recto remains clear. See photos.
Description
Watercolor and ink, untitled, dated around 1965. The sheet is covered with browns washes, bright blue, pink, carmine and violet, with olive and ochre passages. The black ink runs over it: curls, hatchings, free lines, a large arabesque in the bottom left. The stains stay open, the white of the paper peeks through in places. The gesture is firmer and more graphic than in the 1975 watercolors: the line sustains the composition as much as the color.
This is a sheet from the abstract period, after Abstract Art and around Cap d’encre, where Mels blends wash and writing. Horizontal, compact format. Color is laid down in blocks, the line on top, without description.
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 shifts in 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 concern for construction, fluency of writing and expressive chromaticism. In 1950, a state grant allowed him to work at Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17 in Paris.
His watercolors, etchings, 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
Sold with frame
No
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Edition
Original
Artist
René Mels (1909-1977)
Title of artwork
Composition abstraite de 1965
Technique
Watercolour painting
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Belgium
Year
1965
Condition
Good condition
Height
29 cm
Width
44 cm
Style
Abstract
Period
1960-1970
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