25 JANUARY 1 FEBRUARY 2026

BRUSSELS EXPO | HEYSEL

Artworks

This section will be available this Autumn.

Galeries
Galeries Galerie AB - Agnès Aittouarès Franck Anelli Fine Art Ars Antiqua d'Arschot & Cie Art et Patrimoine - Laurence Lenne Arte-Fact Fine Art Artimo Fine Arts Galerie Ary Jan Galerie BA - Berthet Aittouarès HELENE BAILLY MARCILHAC Véronique Bamps Barbara Bassi Beck & Eggeling International Fine Art Galerie de la Béraudière Galerie Berès Bernier/Eliades Galeria Bessa Pereira Galerie BG Arts Boon Gallery Galerie Alexis Bordes Bernard Bouisset Galerie Boulakia Galerie Nicolas Bourriaud Brame & Lorenceau Cabinet of Curiosities - Honourable Silver Objects Galerie Capazza Giammarco Cappuzzo Fine Art Carlucci Gallery Galerie Jean-François Cazeau Galerie Cento Anni Chambre professionnelle belge de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (CLAM) Citadelles & Mazenod CKS Gallery Claes Gallery Collectors Gallery COLNAGHI Costermans Dalton Somaré De Brock De Jonckheere Galerie Bernard De Leye Galerie Oscar De Vos De Wit Fine Tapestries De Zutter Art Gallery Dei Bardi Art Thomas Deprez Fine Arts Patrick Derom Gallery Desmet Fine Arts Virginie Devillez Fine Art DIE GALERIE Douwes Fine Art b.v. Epoque Fine Jewels Finch & Co Galerie Flak A&R Fleury Galerie La Forest Divonne Galerie Christophe Gaillard Galerie des Modernes Gilden's Art Gallery Grusenmeyer-Woliner Galerie Hadjer Galerie Haesaerts-le Grelle Philippe Heim Heutink Ikonen Galerie Hioco Hoffmans Antiques Huberty & Breyne Galerie Hurtebize rodolphe janssen Francis Janssens van der Maelen Kunsthaus Kende Harold t’Kint de Roodenbeke Florian Kolhammer Hartford Fine Art - Lampronti Gallery Alexis Lartigue Lemaire Galerie Lowet de Wotrenge Francis Maere Fine Arts Maison D'Art Maisonjaune Studio Martins&Montero Martos Gallery MARUANI MERCIER MassModernDesign Galerie Mathivet Mearini Fine Art Galerie Greta Meert Meessen Galerie la Ménagerie Mulier Mulier Gallery Jan Muller Antiques Klaas Muller NARDI VENEZIA Nosbaum Reding Dr. Nöth kunsthandel Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/Brussels Objects With Narratives Galeria Jordi Pascual Galerie La Patinoire Royale Bach Pauline's Jewellery Box Pelgrims de Bigard Galerie Alexis Pentcheff Christophe Perlès Galerie Perrin Guy Pieters Gallery Gallery de Potter d’Indoye Galerie de la Présidence Pron Van Pruissen Asian Art QG Gallery Maison Rapin Almine Rech Stéphane Renard Fine Art Repetto Gallery robertaebasta Romigioli Antichità Laurent Schaubroeck Serge Schoffel - Art Premier Segoura Fine Art Edouard Simoens Gallery Herwig Simons Fine Arts Stern Pissarro Gallery Stone Gallery Galerie Taménaga TASCHEN TEMPLON The old Treasury Galerie Patrice Trigano unforget Decorative Arts Univers du Bronze Vagabond Antiques Gallery Sofie Van de Velde Van Herck-Eykelberg Galerie Raf Van Severen Samuel Vanhoegaerden Gallery Maurice Verbaet Gallery Galerie von Vertes Axel Vervoordt Galerie Dina Vierny VKD Jewels Galerie Florence de Voldère N. Vrouyr Floris van Wanroij Fine Art Galerie Watteeu by Edouard & Andrea de Caters Victor Werner WHITFORD Willow Gallery
 

Thomas Deprez Fine Arts

jean delville

Jean Delville (Leuven 1867-1953 Brussels) Aveugle, 1888 Oil on canvas 65 x 81 cm Signed and dated l.l.: 'Jean Delville / 1888' Relined, with a fair amount of retouching Provenance: private collection, Brussels, since three generations. Exhibitions: Salon de Gand, XXXIVe Exposition Triennale, Ghent, 1889, cat. n° 166, as: 'Aveugle'; L'Essor, XIIIe exposition annuelle, Brussels, 1889, cat. n° 4, as: 'Aveugle' PRESS F.N., 'Chronique Artistique', dans: Journal de Bruxelles, 24/03/1889, p. 5 (Supplément au Journal de Bruxelles du 24 mars 1889): 'L'Aveugle, la femme si visiblement plongée en des pensées lourdes et étroites, qui se chauffe [...]'

 

Finch & Co

Ivory crucifix figure of Christ South Netherlandish, circa 1690-1700 Rosewood cross, carved ivory, silver halo, giltwood Small chips to fabric of hanging Perizonium, old smooth creamy patina H 109 x W 41.5 x D 22 cm (cross) H 40 x W 24 x D 6 cm (Christ) Belgium CITES: 2025/BE00989/CE Provenance: Finch and Co, circa 2005; English private collection; Irish collection Comparative reference: a similar example in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum inv. n° A.73-1920 A finely carved ivory figure of Christ mounted on a rosewood cross, adorned with a silver halo and a sacred motto. The cross is embellished with giltwood details and set on its original scallop-shaped rosewood base. At Christ’s feet rests an ivory skull and crossbones, symbolising Golgotha. His legs remain uncrossed, with hands and feet affixed by iron nails. In this image of the Passion, Christ is shown alive, his eyes open looking upwards to his right, his teeth visible with his mouth open in his call to God. Imagery based on the Passion of Christ became increasingly popular from the 13th century. The mix of emotions which well up in the devout upon looking at such a human image, a blend of guilt and gratitude, sorrow and sympathy, is a very powerful combination. The Carthusian monk, Ludolph of Saxony (died 1378) expressed this attraction, without seeking to explain it, in his ‘Life of Christ’: ‘I know not for sure…. how it is that you are sweeter in the heart of one who loves you in the form of flesh than as the word…. It is sweeter to view you as dying before the Jews on the tree, than as holding sway over the angels in Heaven, to see you as a man bearing every aspect of human nature to the end, than as God manifesting divine nature, to see you as the dying Redeemer than as the invisible Creator.’

 

WHITFORD

bram bogart

Bram Bogart (Delft 1921-2012 Sint-Truiden) Le chapeau de Rubens, 1983 Mixed media on canvas 200 x 220 cm Signed and dated on verso Certificate of authenticity by Bram Bogart Jr, n° 20 Provenance: corporate collection, UK Literature: Bram Bogart, Schilderijen 1950-1983. exh. cat., Museum Boijmans-Van Beuningen, Rotterdam and Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst, Ghent, 1984, ill. p. 2 and p. 36; Legrand, Francine-Claire; Bram Bogart, Tielt, 1988, ill. p. 97; Paquet, Marcel, Bram Bogart, Turin, 1990, ill. p. 241; Hermans, Nicole, Bram Bogart in Amerika, Beelding, maandblad voor Kunsten, p. 16; Bogart, Bram, Hoet, Jan, Lemesre, Marion, Paquet, Marcel and Gilbert Perlein, Bram Bogart, Fête de la matière, exh. cat., Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles, Brussels and Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain de Nice, 1999, ill. p. 43 Exhibitions: 1984, Bram Bogart: Schilderijen 1950-1983, Museum Boijmans-Van Beuningen, Rotterdam and Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst, Gent, cat. n° 67; 1999, Bram Bogart, Fête de la matière, Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles, Brussels and Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain de Nice

 

Giammarco Cappuzzo Fine Art

Giovanni Giacomo Sementi (Bologna 1584-1636 Rome) The Triumph of David, circa 1630 Oil on canvas 137 x 159 cm Provenance: private collection, Italy Literature: M. Francucci, Giovanni Giacomo Sementi, Un dipinto di soggetto insolito, in Arte Cristiana, n° 869, 2012, pp. 143-148; M. Pulini, Rimini per Simone Cantarini, opere da raccolte private, Rimini 2012, pp. 20-21, fig. 20; A. Pellicciari, I'Eredita’ di Guido Reni, in la pittura in Emilia e in Romagna. The Seventeenth Century, edited by Andrea Emiliani, Milano, 1992; G. Puglia, Il Bastaro, fig. 36, pag. 79; M. Francucci, il naturalismo classicizzato nella Roma di Urbano VIII, LibroCo Italy, Florence, 2013; Ariccia, Gian Giacomo Sementi, Quaderni del Barocco, 2021, p. 8 fig. 14

 

Galerie La Patinoire Royale Bach

Erró (Ólafsvík, Iceland, 1932) Le Wall, 1975 Acrylic on canvas 99 x 67 cm

 

Maison D'Art

Benvenuto Tisi called Il Garofalo (Ferrara, circa 1476–1559) The Nativity, circa 1525/1540 (Adoration of the Christ Child/Adoration of the Shepherds) Oil on wooden panel 38.1 x 33 cm Literature: A. Bliznukov, Ludovico Mazzolino: catalogo delle opere, Florence (forthcoming; as Garofalo, circa 1525/1540)

 

Gilden's Art Gallery

pablo picasso

Pablo Picasso (Malaga 1881-1973 Mougins) Le bain de pieds, 1960 Brush and India ink drawing on wove paper 20.9 x 26.9 cm This ink drawing is dated 26.1.60.II in ink in the upper image. Picasso created this work on Tuesday 26 January 1960 Provenance: Forum Fine Art, Zurich; private collection, Switzerland; Christie's, London, 10 February 2005, lot 685 Literature: C. Zervos (1968), Pablo Picasso - Œuvres de 1959 à 1961, Paris, vol. 19, reference n° 137 (ill., pl. 32)

 

Francis Janssens van der Maelen

Maurice Daurat (Bordeaux 1880-1969 Meulan-en-Yvelines) Art Deco table centrepiece Paris, circa 1927-1931 Sterling silver, Macassar ebony, marble H 42.5 x W 104 x D 20 cm This striking early 20th century French silver and alabaster centrepiece on a Macassar ebony base is a superb example of Art Deco design. Designed by Maurice Daurat in Paris, circa 1927-1931. Maurice Daurat was famous for his limited editions and large commissioned works. His style is characterised by geometrical, strict shaping, emphasising volume and material.

 

Cabinet of Curiosities - Honourable Silver Objects

Cartier necklace 18-carat yellow gold, diamond and onyx France, 1970s Commissioned for a Belgian family Signed and numbered Provenance: private collection, Brussels

 

Dei Bardi Art

Prophet with a Scroll Second half of the 15th century Scheldt region, Belgium Carved in Tournai limestone H 33 x W 28 x D 7.5 cm Provenance: private collection Flanders, Belgium

 

Galerie Oscar De Vos

albijn van den abeele

Albijn Van den Abeele (Sint-Martens-Latem 1835-1918 Aldaar) Last rays of sunshine and rising moon, 1904 Oil on canvas 80.5 x 110.5 cm Signed lower right: Albijn Van den Abeele Provenance: A. Van den Abeele, Sint-Marten-Latem; P. De Rijckere, Ghent; R. Van den Abeele, Sint-Martens-Latem; E. Van den Abeele, Sint-Martens-Latem Literature: Boyens, P., Sint-Martens-Latem. Kunstenaarsdorp in Vlaanderen (1992), 176-177 (ill.); Boyens, P., In de voetsporen van de Latemse kunstenaars (2003), 76-77 (ill.); Devoghelaere, H., Albijn Van den Abeele (1935), 39, 45, no. 33; D'Haese, J. & H. Lampo, Albijn Van den Abeele en de schilders van de Leie (1973), cat. 28 (ill.); Haesaerts, P., Sint-Martens-Latem. Gezegend oord van de Vlaamse kunst (1965), 76 (ill.); Hoozee, R., Veertig kunstenaars rond Karel Van den Woestijne (1979), 43-44, cat. 58 (ill.); Pauwels, H., De eerste groep van Sint-Martens-Latem 1899-1914 (1980), 96, 148, cat. 5 (ill.); Pauwels, P.J.H. & V. Van Doorne, Leie. Rimpeloze eenvoud (2010), 35, 106, cat. 8 (ill.); Van den Abeele, R., Albijn Van den Abeele. De stamvader van de Latemse kunstenaars (1993), 98-99, 135-138, 211, cat. 117 (ill.); Van den Abeele, E. e.a., Albijn Van den Abeele (2019), 34 (ill.); Van Doorne, V. e.a., Retrospectieve tentoonstelling Albijn Van den Abeele (1835-1918) (1985), 98-99, 211, 226, cat. 117 (ill.); Van Doorne, V. e.a., Sint-Martens-Latem - Worpswede 1880-1914. Twee kunstenaarskolonies (1996), 13, 65, 72, cat. 5 (ill.); Van Lerberghe, J., Belgische kunst van 1890-heden (1966), 21, cat. 7 Exhibitions: 1924, Ghent, Kunstgalerij Brabantdam, Albijn van den Abeele, cat. 8; 1966, Utrecht, Centraal Museum, Belgische kunst van 1890 tot heden, cat. 7; 1973, Venlo, Cultureel Centrum, Albijn Van den Abeele en de schilders van de Leie, cat. 28; 1974, Sint-Martens-Latem, Latemse Galerij, Kunstenaars zien Latem, cat. 156; 1976, Brussels, Passage 44, Tentoonstelling Oost-Vlaanderen, s.n.; 1978, Antwerp, AMVC Letterenhuis, Karel Van de Woestyne, s.n.; 1979, Brussels, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, Karel Van de Woestyne 1879-1929, cat. 183; 1979, Ghent, MSK, 40 Kunstenaars rond Karel Van de Woestyne, cat. 58; 1980, Ingelheim (Duitsland), Villa Schneider, Von Ensor bis Delvaux, cat. 9; 1985, Deinze, MuDeL, Retrospectieve tentoonstelling Albijn Van den Abeele (1835-1918), cat. 58; 2010, Deinze, MuDeL, Leie. Rimpeloze eenvoud, cat. 8; 2019, Sint-Martens-Latem, Gemeentehuis, Albijn Van den Abeele, s.n.

 

d'Arschot & Cie

Perfume bottle and case Germany, circa 1620 Anonymous silversmith Chased, engraved, and partially gilded silver. Case in boiled leather. H 9 cm – Weight: 58 g This elegant perfume bottle stands out for the exceptional preservation of its original boiled leather case, a testament to the care taken in protecting and transporting such precious objects in the 17th century. The bottle features a finely engraved vegetal motif enlivened with small exotic birds, typical of the work of silversmiths from southern Germany during the first third of the century. At a time when the distillation of essences was still in its infancy, such bottles accompanied the daily life of the elite, allowing the frequent application of fleeting perfumes. This model, fitted with a screw cap ensuring perfect sealing, illustrates both the practical function and the symbolic value of perfume as a marker of social distinction.

 

Maurice Verbaet Gallery

paul van hoeydonck

Paul Van Hoeydonck (Antwerp 1925-2025 Wijnegem) Untitled, 1958 Oil on unalit 80 x 80 cm Provenance: Maurice Verbaet collection, Belgium Literature: Jan Ceuleers, Paul Van Hoeydonck, Antwerpen, Pandora Publishers, 2011, p. 160 & p. 287 Exhibition: KMSKA, Antwerp, Belgium, Fallen Astronaut. Hommage aan Paul Van Hoeydonck, 12 September 2025-12 October 2025

 

Mearini Fine Art

Pair of sidewalls from a wooden choir with the figures of Saints Andrew and Anthony the Abbot Woodcarver close to Jehan de Vitry's Geneva workshop Upper Savoy, circa 1450-1460 Walnut 275 x 50 cm (each) Provenance: private collection, Italy

 

Galerie Taménaga

Maurice Denis (Granville 1870-1943 Paris) Les Bergers, à la chèvre noire, circa 1918 Oil on canvas 45.2 x 62.2 cm Signed lower left 'Maurice Denis' Provenance: Lang; Galerie Druet; Hirschler; private collection Literature: Paris, Galerie Druet, Exposition Maurice Denis, 1918, n° 27; Ploëzal, Château de la Roche-Jagu, Maurice Denis et la Bretagne. Les étés de Silencio, 2009, n° 59, repr. p. 157

 

Bernier/Eliades

berta fischer

Berta Fischer (Germany, 1973) Gragama, 2024 Acrylic glass H 320 x W 80 x D 50 cm

 

Galerie AB - Agnès Aittouarès

Sam Francis (California, 1923-1994) SF63-046, 1963 Acrylic on paper 90 x 63 cm Signed, dated and located Los Angeles on reverse Listed in the online catalogue raisonné of the artist under n° SF63-046 Provenance: Jean Fournier collection; private collection, Paris Exhibition: Paris, Galerie Jean Fournier, Sam Francis de 1947 à 1988 sur papier, October-November 1988

 

Costermans

pierre-philippe thomire

Pierre-Philippe Thomire (Paris, 1751-1843)(Attributed to) Pair of table centrepieces Empire period, early 18th century Chiselled and gilded bronze H 57 x W 22 cm

 

Douwes Fine Art b.v.

emanuel de witte

Emanuel de Witte (The Netherlands, Alkmaar circa 1616-1691/2 Amsterdam) Interior of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam, the transept seen from the South Oil on canvas 64 x 71.5 cm Signed 'E. De. Witte' (c.r.) Provenance: Abraham Dijkman, Amsterdam; his deceased sale, Amsterdam, de Bosch/ Yver, 17-18 July 1794, lot 47; sale, London, Foster, 25 March 1931 (as 'unknown'); acquired at the above sale by Asscher & Welker, London; with D. Katz, Dieren; Dr. A. Welker, London, 1935; with J.D. Klaasen Jr., Rotterdam; P.M. Kerdel, Scheveningen, 1963; with Hans Cramer, The Hague by 1990; acquired by a Dutch Foundation, in 1998 Literature: Noach, 'Het Material tot de Geschiedenis der Oude kerk te Amsterdam', Amsterdam 1937, p. 81; E. Trautscholdt, in U. Thieme and F. Becker, 'Algemeines Lexikon der Bildenden Künstler' Vol. 36, Leipzig, 1947, p. 125; I. Manke, 'Emanuel de Witte', Amsterdam, 1963, p. 92, n° 62 with ill. fig. 31; F. Duparc et al., 'Masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age', exhibition catalogue, Atlanta, 1985, p. 132-3, n° 60 with ill.; H.R. Leppien, 'In Blickfeld: Holländische Kirchenbilder', exhibition catalogue, Hamburg, 1995, pp. 56-7, 66-8, n° 20 Exhibitions: Rotterdam, Museum Boymans Van Beuningen, 'Vermeer, oorsprong en invloed Fabritius, de Hooch, de Witte, 9 July-9 October 1935, n° 116; Rotterdam, Museum Boymans Van Beuningen, Tentoonstelling van schilderijen, beeldhouwwerken en teekeningen uit particuliere verzamelingen in Nederland: onder auspiciën van de 'Stichting Museum Boymans' , December 1939-January 1940, n° 59; Atlanta, High Museum of Art, Masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age, 24 September-10 November 1985, n° 60, p. 132-3; Hamburg, Kunsthalle, In Blickfeld: Holländische Kirchenbilder, 1995/96, n° 20

 

Serge Schoffel - Art Premier

Sitting male figure Timoto-Cuica, 900-1300 AD Trujillo State, Venezuela Terracotta, pigments H 29 x W 23 x D 17.5 cm Datation: TL test n° 481z12 by the Research Laboratory for Archaeology, Oxford University, United Kingdom, on 7 May 1991 Provenance: Galerie Ferrero, Geneva, 1968; collection Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, Inv. n° 530-2; Sotheby's auction, Paris, collection Barbier-Mueller-Art Précolombien, on 22 and 23 March 2013, n° 265 Literature: Paz, Octavio, Butor, Michel, Barbier, Jean-Paul, Stierlin, Henri, Lavallée, Danièle, Conceição G., Corrêa, Barry, Iris, 1992, Art millénaire des Amériques : de la découverte à l'admiration, 1492-1992, Arthaud, fig. 130, p. 178 & 179; Conceição G., Corrêa, Barry, Iris, 2002, Amazonie précolombienne, Museo Barbier-Mueller de Arte Precolombino, Barcelona, 5 Continents, fig. 4, p. 17; Benson, Elizabeth P., 2003, Trésors de la céramique précolombienne du Museo Barbier-Mueller de Arte Precolombino de Barcelona, Musée Barbier-Mueller et Somogy éditions d’art, fig. 44, p. 52

 

Pron

alice gavalet

Alice Gavalet (France, 1978) Buffet, 2025 Wood, brass, glazed and engobed earthenware H 90 x W 154 x D 44 cm

 

Victor Werner

carl johan bonnesen

Carl Johan Bonnesen (Aalborg 1868-1933 Copenhagen) African elephant, 1924 Bronze with green patina H 54 x W 78 x D 34 cm Signed and dated CARL J. BONNESEN 1924 Provenance: Professor Karl Meyer, board member of Villadsens Fabrikker; donated Nov. 9th, 1932, to the company director Christian Villadsen and his wife Ingeborg (as inscribed on the base); gifted by Christian Villadsen’s grandson to the previous owner

 

CKS Gallery

Victor Vasarely (Hungary 1906-1997 Paris) Syrom, 1956-1959 Acrylic on canvas 162 x 130 cm Provenance: acquired from the artist by the previous owner

 

Univers du Bronze

Hubert Le Gall (Lyon, 1961) Parade, 2024 Couple of grues - cabinet Bronze, gilt and brown patina, glass shelf Cast in 2025 H 210 x W 120 x D 55 cm Original artist edition monogramed, numbered and signed 'le Gall'

 

Galerie Nicolas Bourriaud

François Martinez (Oran 1902–1986 Toulouse) Two Birds of Prey, circa before 1938 Direct carving in thuja wood H 57 x W 39 x D 26 cm Signed ‘F Martinez’ Unique piece

 

Claes Gallery

 

Repetto Gallery

valerio adami

Valerio Adami (Bologna, 1935) La firma del muro antico, Odisseo (per E. Pound), 1977 Acrylic on canvas 204 x 152 cm Signed, dated and titled on the reverse: Adami 8.8.77 17.11.77 La firma del muro antico. Odisseo (per E. Pound) Label on the reverse by Galerie Rive Gauche Marcel Strouk, Paris Certificate of authenticity by Archivio Valerio Adami n° 878 Provenance: Galerie Maeght, Paris; private collection, France (acquired from the above) Exhibition: Valerio Adami, 7 October-12 November 1978, Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi; Valerio Adami. Ripensando la realtà, Dep Art Gallery, Milan, 6 March-17 May 2025

 

Patrick Derom Gallery

günther förg

Günther Förg (Füssen 1952-2013 Freiburg) Untitled, 2003 Acrylic on canvas 140.5 x 160.5 cm Signed and dated upper right ‘Förg 03’ This work is registered in the archives of the Günther Förg Estate under number WVF.03.B.0242 Provenance: Alcalá Subastas, Madrid, 12 May 2011; private collection, Madrid; private collection; sale Christie’s Amsterdam, 8 April 2014, lot n° 74; private collection, Belgium Exhibition: 2003-2004, Galerie Heinrich Ehrhardt, Madrid, 18 November 2003-30 January 2004, Günther Förg

 

DIE GALERIE

pierre alechinsky

Pierre Alechinsky (Brussels, 1927) Le Point du Jour, 1966 Oil on canvas 130 x 81 cm Signed lower right 'Alechinsky'; signed, dated and entitled verso Certificate by the artist from 19 March 2012 Provenance: Galerie Birch, Kopenhagen; DIE GALERIE, Frankfurt am Main Literature: Pierre Alechinsky, Galerie Birch, Kopenhagen 1966; CoBrA. Una grande avanguardia europea 1948-1951, exh. cat. Fondazione Roma Museo, Palazzo Cipolla, Rome 2015, p. 211 Exhibitions: Pierre Alechinsky, Galerie Birch, Kopenhagen 1966; CoBrA international – Momente einer Utopie, Museum für aktuelle Kunst, Sammlung Hurrle, Durbach, 2012-2013; CoBrA – Una grande avanguardia europea 1948-1951, Fondazione Roma Museo, Palazzo Cipolla, Rom, 2015-2016; 70 Years of CoBrA, DIE GALERIE, Frankfurt am Main, 2018; Pierre Alechinsky and his artist friends, DIE GALERIE, Frankfurt am Main, 2025

 

Claes Gallery

Dan 'deangle' Mask Ivory Coast, Dan people Presumed early 20th century Wood and pigment H 25 cm Provenance: Hubert Goldet (1945–2000), Paris, until 1972; Lucien Van de Velde (1933-), Antwerp, from 1972 to 1975; René (1901-1998) & Odette (1925–2012) Delenne, Brussels Literature: Arts d’Afrique Noire 34, 1988, p. 49; Utotombo, Kunst uit Zwart-Afrika in Belgisch privé-bezit, de Heusch, Brussels, 1988, p. 148, fig. 59; A ‘Harley Mask’ at the Cleveland Museum of Art: More on Masks among the Mano and Dan Peoples, Petridis, African Arts, Vol. 45, n° 1, 2012, p. 31, fig. 8; Trésors de Côte d’Ivoire, Neyt, Fonds Mercator, Brussels, 2014, p. 44-45, fig. 18 (indication: H. 26 cm); The Language of Beauty in African Art, Petridis, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2022, p. 207, fig. 164 Exhibitions: Utotombo. Kunst uit Zwart-Afrika in Belgisch privé-bezit, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels, 25 March-5 June 1988; The Language of Beauty in African Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, 20 January 2022-27 March 2023 Originating from the northwest of Côte d’Ivoire, near the borders of Liberia and Guinea, the Dan are an agricultural people who primarily cultivate rice and cassava. Their way of life, complemented by hunting, fishing, and gathering, is rooted in a patrilineal society without a central authority, structured around clans led by chiefs chosen for their prestige, bravery, or agricultural success. Relations between clans, often marked by rivalries, gave rise to a rigorous social organization: young warriors ensured the group’s defense, while chiefs reinforced their influence through feasts and gifts. Local power rested on a balance between the chief, the council of elders, and the male associations, which upheld discipline, guided the initiation of young men, and preserved community cohesion. The Dan distinguish between two worlds: that of the village - a humanized and social space - and that of the forest, the realm of spirits and natural forces. It is within this duality that their art takes root, renowned for its independence and for the diversity of its styles from one village to another. In their pursuit of formal perfection, Dan artists express through their works an ideal of beauty that is both spiritual and harmonious. A symbol of this aesthetic quest, the Dan 'deangle' mask is characterized by its regular oval shape, polished surface, narrow eyes, short nose, and full, slightly parted lips. The raised scarifications emphasize the geometry and graphic strength of the composition. Of an elegance imbued with softness and femininity, it embodies the Dan ideal of beauty. Used within the Leopard secret society (go), associated with the pacifying spirit zlan, this mask served as an intermediary between young initiates and the village community. First exhibited and published for the general public in 1988, this exceptional work was most recently presented (in 2022) at the Chicago Museum. The mask’s deep gaze, highlighted by a fine band across the eyes, captures the viewer’s attention. Its patina, with warm brown reflections, and its concave form lend it a presence that is both powerful and serene.

 
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