Silvin Bronkart (1915-1967) - Fusain nr15 – Grande composition abstraite de 1953
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Silvin Bronkart (1915-1967) Fusain nr15 – Grande composition abstraite de 1953, charcoal drawing on paper dated 31 December 1953, 60.5 × 49.8 cm, original edition, Belgium, signed by the artist, in very good condition.
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Description from the seller
Silvin BRONKART (1915-1967)
Charcoal No. 15 – Large abstract composition
December 31, 1953
Masterpiece of maturity – post-war Belgian lyrical and biomorphic abstraction
Technique: Charcoal drawing on paper
Signed "Silvin" in charcoal at the bottom left
Artist monogram at the bottom right
Signed "Silvin" in ink on the back, with workshop annotations (including the circled number "15" and "A15")
Dimensions: 60.5 × 49.8 cm
Condition: Very good / exceptional for a paper work from 1953.
The paper retains a strong presence, the blacks are intense and velvety, the line remains with remarkable vigor and precision. Minor workshop traces and natural patina of time, perfectly coherent with the age of the work and without visual impact on the composition. No tears.
Sold unframed.
Provenance
Françoise Bronkart Collection, daughter of the artist
Direct provenance from the family studio – piece kept within the estate
References
Listed in the artist’s online catalog raisonné:
https://art-info.be/oeuvres/sans-titre-3770
Catalog title: Charcoal No. 15 – dated very precisely to December 31, 1953.
Description
Magnificent and large charcoal drawing from the end of 1953, created at the height of Silvin Bronkart’s graphic maturity, four years after the founding of the Réalité group (precursor to Réalité-Cobra) in Liège.
The composition unfolds a masterful entanglement of biomorphic forms and stylized volumes that evoke figures in motion, fragmented bodies, or organisms in mutation. Sensual curves interlace with more angular structures in a powerful, almost musical rhythm.
The charcoal is wielded with total virtuosity: dense hatching, subtle gradients, nervous lines and zones of spatial depth create a fascinating visual tension between construction and spontaneity.
This drawing marks a pivotal moment: the energy still close to Cobra here refines toward a more personal, lyrical, and organic abstraction, already foreshadowing the Inquiry of Informal Art while maintaining that typically Liègean graphical intensity. It brings to mind contemporary explorations by Wols or certain Hartung, but with a formal poetry and a bodily density that are very personal.
A rare piece due to its ambitious format, its precise dating to the day, its presence in the catalogue raisonné, and its impeccable family provenance.
Ideal for collectors of post-war Belgian abstraction, high-quality modern drawings, and Liège art of the 1950s.
Biography of Silvin Bronkart
Silvin Bronkart (full name Silvin, Joseph, Louis Bronkart), known as Silvin, was born June 14, 1915 in Liège. Trained at the Institute Saint-Luc of Liège (1930-1939), he won the Grand Prize at the end of studies.
After the war, he became one of the central figures of the Liège avant-garde and co-founded the Réalité group in 1949 with Pol Bury, Georges Collignon, and others. This group quickly affiliated with the international COBRA movement.
Active member of APIAW, he participated in numerous exhibitions in Belgium and abroad. His works are in public collections (Musée d’Art Moderne de Liège, MuZEE Ostende, etc.) and with major Belgian collectors. He died in 1967 at the age of 52, leaving a coherent, demanding, and poetic œuvre.
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 TranslateSilvin BRONKART (1915-1967)
Charcoal No. 15 – Large abstract composition
December 31, 1953
Masterpiece of maturity – post-war Belgian lyrical and biomorphic abstraction
Technique: Charcoal drawing on paper
Signed "Silvin" in charcoal at the bottom left
Artist monogram at the bottom right
Signed "Silvin" in ink on the back, with workshop annotations (including the circled number "15" and "A15")
Dimensions: 60.5 × 49.8 cm
Condition: Very good / exceptional for a paper work from 1953.
The paper retains a strong presence, the blacks are intense and velvety, the line remains with remarkable vigor and precision. Minor workshop traces and natural patina of time, perfectly coherent with the age of the work and without visual impact on the composition. No tears.
Sold unframed.
Provenance
Françoise Bronkart Collection, daughter of the artist
Direct provenance from the family studio – piece kept within the estate
References
Listed in the artist’s online catalog raisonné:
https://art-info.be/oeuvres/sans-titre-3770
Catalog title: Charcoal No. 15 – dated very precisely to December 31, 1953.
Description
Magnificent and large charcoal drawing from the end of 1953, created at the height of Silvin Bronkart’s graphic maturity, four years after the founding of the Réalité group (precursor to Réalité-Cobra) in Liège.
The composition unfolds a masterful entanglement of biomorphic forms and stylized volumes that evoke figures in motion, fragmented bodies, or organisms in mutation. Sensual curves interlace with more angular structures in a powerful, almost musical rhythm.
The charcoal is wielded with total virtuosity: dense hatching, subtle gradients, nervous lines and zones of spatial depth create a fascinating visual tension between construction and spontaneity.
This drawing marks a pivotal moment: the energy still close to Cobra here refines toward a more personal, lyrical, and organic abstraction, already foreshadowing the Inquiry of Informal Art while maintaining that typically Liègean graphical intensity. It brings to mind contemporary explorations by Wols or certain Hartung, but with a formal poetry and a bodily density that are very personal.
A rare piece due to its ambitious format, its precise dating to the day, its presence in the catalogue raisonné, and its impeccable family provenance.
Ideal for collectors of post-war Belgian abstraction, high-quality modern drawings, and Liège art of the 1950s.
Biography of Silvin Bronkart
Silvin Bronkart (full name Silvin, Joseph, Louis Bronkart), known as Silvin, was born June 14, 1915 in Liège. Trained at the Institute Saint-Luc of Liège (1930-1939), he won the Grand Prize at the end of studies.
After the war, he became one of the central figures of the Liège avant-garde and co-founded the Réalité group in 1949 with Pol Bury, Georges Collignon, and others. This group quickly affiliated with the international COBRA movement.
Active member of APIAW, he participated in numerous exhibitions in Belgium and abroad. His works are in public collections (Musée d’Art Moderne de Liège, MuZEE Ostende, etc.) and with major Belgian collectors. He died in 1967 at the age of 52, leaving a coherent, demanding, and poetic œuvre.
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
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Edition
Original
Artist
Silvin Bronkart (1915-1967)
Title of artwork
Fusain nr15 – Grande composition abstraite de 1953
Technique
Charcoal
Signature
Signed
Country of origin
Belgium
Year
1953
Condition
Good condition
Height
49.8 cm
Width
60.5 cm
Style
Abstract
Period
1950-1960
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