CLUYSENAAR (John). - Lot 85

CLUYSENAAR (John). "Composition". Oil on canvas, signed on the lower right corner, mounted in an aluminum frame. Frame size: 75.5 x 65.5 cm; subject: 70 x 60 cm. Painter, draughtsman and sculptor John Cluysenaar (Antwerp, 1899 - Noville-sur-Mehaigne, 1986) began his career as a sculptor, winning the Prix de Rome in 1924. Stays in Paris, where he meets Despiaux and Maillol, who invite him to exhibit with them at the "Salon d'Automne" in 1926. Stays in London, where he makes a name for himself with his busts and portraits. Around 1939, he turned to painting and drawing. He began in a figurative style, influenced by the work of Picasso, but soon moved towards gestural abstraction in the manner of Tobey and Pollock, and lyrical abstraction. He then returned to figuration, with a preference for fragmented, expressionist faces painted in a vigorous palette. Moved to Noville-sur-Mehaigne (France) in 1955. Works in numerous museums.