René Mels (1909-1977) - Composition abstraite 1965
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René Mels, Composition abstraite 1965, pastel on paper, original edition, 33 × 25.5 cm, Belgium.
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Description from the seller
FR :
Payment required before the evening of October 25. No shipments possible from October 26 for nearly 3 weeks (absence).
——-
René Mels (1909-1977) – Abstract composition – Circa 1965 – Watercolor and pastel – Monogrammed
René Mels (1909-1977)
Abstract composition
Watercolor and pastel (or mixed media) on paper, circa 1965
Signature: Monogrammed “RM” at the bottom left.
Verso blank, except for a few small discreet marks.
Dimensions: 33 × 25.5 cm
Sold unframed
Condition
Nice sheet, colors bright and well preserved. Paper slightly tinted/yellowed with time, a few light handling creases and normal studio marks. No major loss visible. The recto remains clean, bright, and expressive. See photos.
Description
Gestural abstract composition by René Mels created around 1965, at the heart of his lyrically assertive period.
At the center, a mass of intense blue, almost aquatic, acts as a chromatic pole. Around it, zones of carmine red, violet, orange, and golden yellow organize themselves, carried by energetic hatch marks and nerve-like lines that traverse the sheet diagonally.
White areas and the reserves of the paper remain largely present, giving air and rhythm to the whole. The gesture is free, almost explosive, while still controlled: watercolor lays down the colored masses, the pastel (or grease pencil) structures the movement with hatch marks and drier accents.
The warm palette (oranges, yellows, browns) contrasts with the central blue and creates a dynamic tension typical of Mels’s 1960s. One senses both the construction of space (inherited from his interest in the golden ratio and the Young Belgian Painting) and the freedom of expression in lyrical abstraction. An intimate, very decorative format that reads well both up close (quality of gesture and materials) and from afar (chromatic balance).
Work characteristic of Mels’s maturity in the 1960s: expressive chromaticism, spontaneity of gesture, balance between structure and lyricism.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) trained at the Louvain and Brussels Academies, then at La Cambre. After an early Expressionist phase influenced by Permeke, he moved in 1947 toward abstraction.
Active member of the 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, a flexible handling, 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 Belgian and international public 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 TranslateFR :
Payment required before the evening of October 25. No shipments possible from October 26 for nearly 3 weeks (absence).
——-
René Mels (1909-1977) – Abstract composition – Circa 1965 – Watercolor and pastel – Monogrammed
René Mels (1909-1977)
Abstract composition
Watercolor and pastel (or mixed media) on paper, circa 1965
Signature: Monogrammed “RM” at the bottom left.
Verso blank, except for a few small discreet marks.
Dimensions: 33 × 25.5 cm
Sold unframed
Condition
Nice sheet, colors bright and well preserved. Paper slightly tinted/yellowed with time, a few light handling creases and normal studio marks. No major loss visible. The recto remains clean, bright, and expressive. See photos.
Description
Gestural abstract composition by René Mels created around 1965, at the heart of his lyrically assertive period.
At the center, a mass of intense blue, almost aquatic, acts as a chromatic pole. Around it, zones of carmine red, violet, orange, and golden yellow organize themselves, carried by energetic hatch marks and nerve-like lines that traverse the sheet diagonally.
White areas and the reserves of the paper remain largely present, giving air and rhythm to the whole. The gesture is free, almost explosive, while still controlled: watercolor lays down the colored masses, the pastel (or grease pencil) structures the movement with hatch marks and drier accents.
The warm palette (oranges, yellows, browns) contrasts with the central blue and creates a dynamic tension typical of Mels’s 1960s. One senses both the construction of space (inherited from his interest in the golden ratio and the Young Belgian Painting) and the freedom of expression in lyrical abstraction. An intimate, very decorative format that reads well both up close (quality of gesture and materials) and from afar (chromatic balance).
Work characteristic of Mels’s maturity in the 1960s: expressive chromaticism, spontaneity of gesture, balance between structure and lyricism.
Biography
René Mels (René Meulemans, 1909-1977) trained at the Louvain and Brussels Academies, then at La Cambre. After an early Expressionist phase influenced by Permeke, he moved in 1947 toward abstraction.
Active member of the 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, a flexible handling, 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 Belgian and international public 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
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Owner or reseller
Edition
Original
Artist
René Mels (1909-1977)
Title of artwork
Composition abstraite 1965
Technique
Pastel
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Belgium
Year
1965
Condition
Good condition
Height
33 cm
Width
25.5 cm
Style
Abstract
Period
1960-1970
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