Items Similar to René Mels (1909-1977) Portrait of a young man, oil on canvas signed
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15
René MelsRené Mels (1909-1977) Portrait of a young man, oil on canvas signedcirca 1940
circa 1940
$1,990.28
£1,495.40
€1,685
CA$2,740.63
A$3,067.27
CHF 1,605.61
MX$37,261.82
NOK 20,387.14
SEK 19,238.75
DKK 12,824.53
About the Item
René Mels (1909-1977)
Portrait of a young man,
signed lower right
oil on canvas
73 x 60 cm
Framed : 77.5 x 64.5
This impressive portrait is obviously touching and striking for its technical mastery, but it is also surprising because it is the work of a painter better known for his abstract work.
He shows a real talent for this difficult genre: conveying psychological depth and rendering what might appear to be a physical likeness. In any case, he succeeds admirably in conveying the character of this young man and expressing his sensitivity.
What's also interesting is the treatment of the background, which picks up the grey of the young man's suit but is painted with real freedom.
It's a real painter's work that anticipates the artist's future developments.
René Meulemans, known as René Mels (1909-1977), was a Belgian painter, draughtsman, engraver (aquafortist), sculptor, ceramist and glass painter.
He was born in Herent-lez-Louvain (Leuven) in 1909, and studied at the Académie de Leuven (with Alfred Delaunois as his teacher), then at the Académie de Bruxelles (1930-1933, with Henri Van Haelen, Alfred Bastien and Jean Delville as his teachers) and then at the École nationale supérieure d'architecture et des arts visuels de la Cambre (Brussels, 1937-1938). He married the artist Renée Petit.
From 1931 onwards, he exhibited his expressionist work at the Cercle Artistique de Leuven, which borrowed heavily from Constant Permeke. He also produced various decorative works. In 1938, he took part in the Art Jeune exhibition organised by Charles Pry in the Atrium room at the Botanical Gardens in Brussels, along with a number of other artists: Gaston Bertrand, Anne Bonnet, Louis Van Lint. In 1941, he took part in the Art Jeune shows.
After this period marked by expressionism, he moved towards abstraction in 1947. He became interested in the golden ratio and oriented his composition in this direction.
A member of the Jeune Peinture Belge (Young Belgian Painters), he took part in the movement's activities in 1947-1948, notably at the exhibition at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in October-November 1947.
"... By the middle of the century, René Mels was able to deconstruct reality through a concern for construction, a supple style and the use of chromaticism as such. His achievement lay in the field of engraving, which he took to the highest level of invention and originality, through matter, colour and relief; this research was then to find its echoes in his painting, La peinture abstraite en Belgique 1920-1970" (Philippe Roberts-Jones).
In 1950, he obtained a grant from the Belgian government which enabled him to spend some time in France. He attended S.W. Hayter's Atelier 17.
In 1952, he was a member of the Art abstrait group, founded by Jo Delahaut and Jean Milo, with Georges Collignon, Pol Bury, Léopold Plomteux, Jan Saverys and Jan Burssens.
Along with Gabriel Belgeonne, René Carcan, Jean Cox, Octave Landuyt, Lismonde and Luc Peire, he was a member of Cap d'encre, a group of engravers set up in 1963 by the Belgian Ministry of Culture to promote the art of engraving and the distribution of original prints.
René Mels died in 1977 in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert.
About the Seller
5.0
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2018
1stDibs seller since 2019
249 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 5 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Paris, France
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllFrench school 20th Century, Portrait of a young man in green, oil
Located in Paris, FR
French school of the 20th Century,
Portrait of a young man in green,
oil on cardboard panel, cradled on the back
53 x 40 cm
This intense portrait is particularly moving and intere...
Category
1950s Modern Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
French Romantic School, 19th Century, Portrait of a man, oil on paper
Located in Paris, FR
French Romantic School, 19th Century
Portrait of a man, a selfportrait ?
oil on paper
17.5 x 12 cm oval
Framed under glass : 43 x 34.5 cm
This rather mysterious portrait is perhaps a self-portrait of the artist who painted it. This is suggested by the three-quarter pose and the gaze fixed on the viewer.
What this man seems to be staring at is himself.
Similarly, the model's appearance is reminiscent of the image of the romantic, bohemian, tortured artist. It's also very interesting that he used a range of dark colours to reinforce this idea of melancholy.
It has been suggested that this small oil on paper is close to the art of François Bonvin (1817-1887) and Théodule Ribot...
Category
1860s Romantic Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
French School 19th Century, Portrait of a young man, 1891, signed and dated
Located in Paris, FR
French School of the 19th century
Portrait of a young man, 1891
Signed (illegible) and dated 91 on the lower right
Oil on canvas
46 x 38 cm
Framed 52 x 44
In good condition, recently...
Category
1890s Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
French School 19th Century, Portrait of a young man, drawing signed
Located in Paris, FR
French School 19 th Century
Portrait of a young man
Signed (signature not deciphered) on the lower right
Pencil, black chalk and heightenings of white and red chalks on paper
Oval vi...
Category
1880s Romantic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Chalk, Acrylic Polymer, Pencil
J. Bonnevay, Portrait of a Gentleman, oil on canvas signed
Located in Paris, FR
J. Bonnevay (active in France in the late 19th century)
Portrait of a Gentleman
Signed upper left
(the signature is quite difficult to read, but without a doubt Bonnevay's)
Oil on c...
Category
1890s Academic Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Roger Cortet (1910-1978) Still-life with a white sculpture, oil on canvas signed
By Roger Cortet
Located in Paris, FR
Roger Cortet (1910-1978)
Still-life with a white sculpture
Oil on canvas
Signed lower right
64 x 80 cm
Framed : 70 x 85.5 cm
There is a small but inconspicuous hole in the frame groo...
Category
1930s Art Deco Still-life Paintings
Materials
Oil
You May Also Like
1940's French Portrait of Young Man Original Signed Oil on Canvas Period Frame
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Man
by Roger Allain (French 1920-1992)
signed and dated 1941 (a very rare period due to WW2)
oil on canvas
canvas: 22 x 18 inches
provenance...
Category
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Portrait of a Young Man - Modern British Impressionist Oil on Board Painting
Located in Sevenoaks, GB
* No US duty or taxes to pay on this item *
A beautiful 1950's Modern British oil on board portrait of a young man wearing a blue jacket. Excellent quality portrait which is present...
Category
1950s Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Portrait of William James, 1949 Oil on Board by John F. Leonard
Located in Long Island City, NY
Portrait of William James (39)
John F. Leonard
American (1921–1987)
Date: 1949
Oil on Board
Size: 16 in. x 12 in. (40.64 cm x 30.48 cm)
Category
1940s American Modern Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Portrait of a Young Man - Large Modern British Figurative Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Sevenoaks, GB
* No US duty or taxes to pay on this item *
A superb large scale Modern British oil on canvas portrait of a smartly dressed young man wearing a striped shirt, suit jacket and tie.
...
Category
1960s Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
1930s Oil on Canvas Portrait of the Artist's Son
Located in Cotignac, FR
1930s Oil on canvas portrait by S Cousin. The painting is signed bottom right and the subject 'Henri Cousin' titled on the back of the canvas.
An engaging ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Anton Gold (1914-1970) - Mid 20th Century Oil, The Schoolboy
Located in Corsham, GB
This evocative portrait captures a young boy in school uniform, with a striking orange tie contrasting against his pale shirt and background. The loose, impressionistic brushwork cre...
Category
20th Century Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
