René Mels (1909-1977) - Composition abstraite colorée – Circa 1965
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€ 5
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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
 | €5 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €4 | |
| €3 | |
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René Mels (1909–1977), Composition abstraite colorée – Circa 1965, a watercolor on paper, signed, 50 x 40 cm, original edition from Belgium, in good condition and unframed.
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Description from the seller
René Mels (1909-1977) – Abstract Composition – Circa 1965 – Watercolor on paper – Signed
René Mels (1909-1977) Belgian School
Watercolor on paper, circa 1965
Signature: Signed “R. Mels” at the bottom right.
Dimensions: 50 × 40 cm with mat.
Sold unframed.
Condition
Beautiful bright sheet, fresh colors and well preserved. Stable washes, healthy paper. A few light handling marks and discreet folds, with no impact on readability. The recto remains vivid and contrasted. See photos.
Description
Beautiful watercolor by René Mels, painted around the mid-1960s. The sheet opens with broad, clear light: pink and pale pink washes at the top, vibrant yellows and whites in the center, touches of cobalt blue, fresh greens, and orange-pink accents at the bottom. On the center-right, dark purple and burgundy forms structure the space without weighing it down. The gesture is free and rhythmic — blue verticals on the left, horizontal swathes at the bottom, quick touches of color crossing the white paper.
The watercolor lays color in masses and transparencies; the line remains graphic and airy. One reads a landscape in motion, a summer light or an abstract garden, never fixed. The composition balances construction and lyricism, characteristic of Mels’ maturity in the 1960s. Horizontal format, a joyful and luminous palette.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) trained at the Academies of Leuven and Brussels, and at La Cambre. After an early Expressionist phase influenced by Permeke, he shifted 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 Abstract Art group in 1952 and co-founded Cap d’encre in 1963.
His work is characterized by a concern for construction, 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 found 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 – Circa 1965 – Watercolor on paper – Signed
René Mels (1909-1977) Belgian School
Watercolor on paper, circa 1965
Signature: Signed “R. Mels” at the bottom right.
Dimensions: 50 × 40 cm with mat.
Sold unframed.
Condition
Beautiful bright sheet, fresh colors and well preserved. Stable washes, healthy paper. A few light handling marks and discreet folds, with no impact on readability. The recto remains vivid and contrasted. See photos.
Description
Beautiful watercolor by René Mels, painted around the mid-1960s. The sheet opens with broad, clear light: pink and pale pink washes at the top, vibrant yellows and whites in the center, touches of cobalt blue, fresh greens, and orange-pink accents at the bottom. On the center-right, dark purple and burgundy forms structure the space without weighing it down. The gesture is free and rhythmic — blue verticals on the left, horizontal swathes at the bottom, quick touches of color crossing the white paper.
The watercolor lays color in masses and transparencies; the line remains graphic and airy. One reads a landscape in motion, a summer light or an abstract garden, never fixed. The composition balances construction and lyricism, characteristic of Mels’ maturity in the 1960s. Horizontal format, a joyful and luminous palette.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) trained at the Academies of Leuven and Brussels, and at La Cambre. After an early Expressionist phase influenced by Permeke, he shifted 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 Abstract Art group in 1952 and co-founded Cap d’encre in 1963.
His work is characterized by a concern for construction, 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 found 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
Sold with frame
No
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Edition
Original
Artist
René Mels (1909-1977)
Title of artwork
Composition abstraite colorée – Circa 1965
Technique
Watercolour painting
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Belgium
Year
1965
Condition
Good condition
Height
40 cm
Width
50 cm
Style
Abstract
Period
1960-1970
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