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Corneille

Belgian, 1922-2010
The Dutch artist Corneille created lyrical, expressionist paintings bursting with color and was one of the founders of the postwar European art movement known as Cobra. Corneille was best known for radicalizing the conservative Dutch art world in the early 1950s, making modern art not only acceptable, but embraceable as well. He placed familiar subjects — birds, cats, women and landscapes — in mythological and often childlike contexts, imbuing them with spontaneity and bright, sensual reds. "I am a painter of joy," Corneille remarked at a 2007 exhibition of his work at the Cobra Museum, said Katja Weitering, the artistic director of the museum, in Amstelveen, near Amsterdam. "He was really an artist for all people," she said. "He was open to the audience; he appeared in documentaries, on television, and frequently visited exhibitions. It's safe to say we consider him one of the most important modern artists of the postwar." In the Netherlands, she added, his fame and influence derived from the appeal of Cobra. Born Guillaume Cornelis van Beverloo to Dutch parents on July 3, 1922, in Liège, Belgium, Corneille was influenced by Miró, Picasso and Paul Klee but claimed the most profound connection to van Gogh because of their shared passion for color, form and nature. Corneille founded Cobra in 1948 with five other artists, including his close friends Karel Appel and Constant Nieuwenhuys. The name was an acronym made up of the artists' home cities — Copenhagen, Brussels and Amsterdam. The artists drew inspiration from surrealism, but believed that style promoted too much discussion and not enough action. Instead, Corneille and his friends formed a united front in postwar Europe, urging a break from tradition and toward freedom and vitality. In an intense three years, Cobra produced two major international exhibitions and published 10 issues of a magazine for which Corneille wrote poetry. Cobra disbanded in 1951, saying it had achieved its goals, and the artists returned to their individual careers. Corneille began his artistic life in 1940, studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Amsterdam. Though he made his home base in Paris in the early 1950s, he traveled extensively in Africa, Cuba, Brazil, and Mexico. In Africa he became fascinated by the colors, smells and cultures, Ms. Weitering said, collecting brightly painted objects like the masks he later used as themes. He also spent time in Italy, Israel and San Francisco, expanding his repertory to include etching, ceramics and printmaking. Beyond the Netherlands, Corneille's work is in the collections of several American museums, including the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Phantom of Opera
Phantom of Opera

CorneillePhantom of Opera, 1993

$883

H 34.65 in W 25.6 in

Phantom of Opera

By Corneille

Located in Paris, FR

Silksreen, 1993 Handsigned by the artist in pencil and annotated EA Artist proof 88.00 cm. x 65.00 cm. 34.65 in. x 25.59 in. (paper) 74.50 cm. x 54.50 cm. 29.33 in. x 21.46 in. (i...

Category

1990s Abstract Corneille

Materials

Silk

Femme en Bleu, Wall/Table Sculpture by Corneille
Femme en Bleu, Wall/Table Sculpture by Corneille

Femme en Bleu, Wall/Table Sculpture by Corneille

By Corneille

Located in Long Island City, NY

This painted wood sculpture by the Belgian artist Corneille, circa 1980, is an expressionist rendering of a two nudes. Corneille was influenced by Miró, Picasso and Paul Klee but cl...

Category

1980s Modern Corneille

Materials

Wood, Paint

Image D'un Été (Image of Summer) Signed Lithograph 1981, Red Nude, Exotic Bird
Image D'un Été (Image of Summer) Signed Lithograph 1981, Red Nude, Exotic Bird

Image D'un Été (Image of Summer) Signed Lithograph 1981, Red Nude, Exotic Bird

By Corneille

Located in Union City, NJ

Image D'un Été is an original hand drawn limited edition lithograph printed using hand lithography techniques on archival Somerset paper, 100% acid free, by the Dutch artist known as CORNEILLE(Guillaume van Beverloo) an abstract expressionist who co-founded the 20th Century experimental art movement CoBrA recognized for their spontaneous, rebellious style of painting that was heavily inspired by the art of children and the mentally ill. Corneille devises his colorful fantastic imagery with exotic plant forms, sensuous female bodies, animals and lively pattern design. Image D'un Été confronts the viewer with a bold erotic red female nude with blue hair and an exotic tropical bird soaring beneath the heat of a blazing red orange sun. Print size - 23.25 x 19.75 in. unframed, vivid colors, hand signed in white pencil by Corneille Edition size - 200, plus proofs Year published - 1981 Printer - J K Fine Art Editions Co., NY About the artist Corneille - Guillaume Corneille was born in Liege, Belgium on July 3, 1922. Corneille studied drawing at the Amsterdam Rijksakademie, but as a painter he was entirely self-taught. After having attended courses at the School of Fine Arts in Amsterdam, he started his painting experience influenced by Surrealism. Corneille, also known as Corneille Guillaume Beverloo, was a painter and graphic artist who radicalized the conservative Dutch art world in the early 1950s. He is co-founder with Karel Appel, Eugene Brands...

Category

1980s Expressionist Corneille

Materials

Lithograph

Cat, Bird and Pink Woman - Original Handsigned Lithograph
Cat, Bird and Pink Woman - Original Handsigned Lithograph

Cat, Bird and Pink Woman - Original Handsigned Lithograph

By Corneille

Located in Paris, IDF

Guillaume Corneille (1922-2010) Cat, Bird and Pink Woman, 1994 Original color lithograph Signed and dated in pencil Authenticated artist's proof / 20 On vellum, 66 x 50 cm (c. 26 x ...

Category

1990s Surrealist Corneille

Materials

Lithograph

Sensuality, Woman, mask and bird, Original signed lithograph
Sensuality, Woman, mask and bird, Original signed lithograph

Sensuality, Woman, mask and bird, Original signed lithograph

By Corneille

Located in Paris, IDF

Guillaume CORNEILLE (1922–2010) Woman, Woman, mask and bird, 1988 Original lithograph (Desjobert studio) Signed on the plate On heavy paper, 126 x 81 cm (49.6 x 31.8 in) INFORMATIO...

Category

1980s Surrealist Corneille

Materials

Lithograph

Les nourritures terrestres

Les nourritures terrestres

By Corneille

Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län

Publisher GKM. Unframed. Edition of 200 ex. Paper: 300gr. Goya. Signed, dated and numbered. Free shipment worldwide. Corneille, one of the founders of the COBRA group, has passed aw...

Category

1990s Contemporary Corneille

Materials

Screen

Woman with Rose and Bird - Original handsigned lithograph
Woman with Rose and Bird - Original handsigned lithograph

Woman with Rose and Bird - Original handsigned lithograph

By Corneille

Located in Paris, IDF

Corneille Woman with Rose and Bird, 1985 Original lithograph Handsigned Justified EA On vellum 56 x 76 cm (c. 22 x 30 inch) Excellent condition

Category

1990s Surrealist Corneille

Materials

Lithograph

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Corneille Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMediumCreation Year
2026$510Animal PrintsLithograph1989
2026$501Animal PrintsLithograph1991
2026$1,971Prints and MultiplesScreen Print1992
2026$60Nude PrintsOffset Print1996
2025$374Prints and Multiples, Figurative PrintsEngraving1998
$736
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$60-$1,971
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Artists Similar to Corneille

Corneille art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Corneille art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, orange, purple and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Corneille in lithograph, screen print, engraving and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Corneille art, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Martine Goeyens, Enrico Baj, and Nicola Simbari. Corneille art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $324 and tops out at $48,543, while the average work can sell for $1,421.