Month: December 2024

Karel Appel, a leading figure in the CoBrA movement, has left his mark on art history with his vibrant, instinctive and deeply expressive works. In 1994, he produced “Untitled”, an oil on canvas that illustrates the power of his creativity and the singularity of his style. This canvas, now on show at Galerie Hurtebize, is a dazzling testimony to Karel Appel‘s artistic maturity and his desire to push back the boundaries of conventional art. Let’s take a look at this energetic work.

By 1994, Karel Appel was already an accomplished artist, internationally recognized for his role in the CoBrA movement and his contributions to abstract and expressionist art. By this stage in his career, he had perfected his style while remaining true to his creative instincts.

Unlike his works of the 1950s, marked by a certain urgency and a search for a break with academicism, “Untitled” bears witness to an artistic maturity. Appel displays technical mastery and absolute confidence in his visual language. He doesn’t hesitate to explore matter, color and gesture in even bolder ways, while retaining the raw energy for which he is renowned.

Although “Untitled” was produced several decades after the CoBrA movement dissolved in 1951, the influence of this collective is still perceptible in Appel‘s work. CoBrA, an acronym for Copenhagen, Brussels and Amsterdam, brought together artists who shared a common desire to break with academic rules and rediscover a free, intuitive and spontaneous art form.

The principles of the movement – such as an interest in primitive forms, the childlike imagination and the spontaneity of gesture – are evident in this painting. Appel continues to build on this heritage, while bringing his own vision and experience gained over the years.

“Untitled” is not just a painting: it’s an experience. Looking at this canvas, the viewer is transported into a whirlwind of emotions and energy. The richness of the textures, the vivacity of the colors and the power of the pictorial gesture create a total immersion in Karel Appel‘s universe.

Each glance at the work reveals new details, new interactions between colors and shapes. This visual complexity is one of the most fascinating aspects of Appel’s work, which manages to capture the viewer’s attention while leaving him free to construct his own interpretation.

More than 15 years after his death, Karel Appel‘s art continues to resonate with art lovers and collectors the world over. His unique approach, blending instinct, emotion and daring, remains a source of inspiration for many contemporary artists.

This “Untitled” work from 1994 bears witness to the timeless relevance of his work. It reminds us that art, when sincere and authentic, can touch hearts and minds deeply, whatever the era or context.

Galerie Hurtebize is proud to present this exceptional work by Karel Appel. A true gem of contemporary art, this canvas is an invitation to explore the vibrant and audacious universe of an artist who has left his mark on the history of art.

Come and discover “Untitled” (1994) and let yourself be carried away by the energy and passion that emanate from this unique creation. This is a rare opportunity to admire up close a work that embodies all the strength and vitality of Karel Appel.