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Galerie Raf Van Severen
Jean Brusselmans (Brussels 1884-1953 Dilbeek) Decor for Erwartung, 1936 Mixed media on paper 60 x 90 cm Label at the back; Erwartung; Decor pour 'Erwartung', d’Arnold Schoenberg, 1936; Décor pour le 4e acte Literature: Paul Haesaerts, Jean Brusselmans, 1939, p. 67; Robert L. Delevoy, Jean Brusselmans: CR établi par Mme G. Brys-Schatan, 1972, 421.IV In 1936, the French-language premiere of the monodrama Erwartung by Arnold Schoenberg was organized in the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels. And it was Jean Brusselmans who was commissioned with the design of the sets. In “Decor for Erwartung” we see the study for the 4th scene of the drama. During this scene the female protagonist, who is desperately on search for her lover, encounters a road in the middle of the forest. To her horror, she can only discover his lifeless body by the edge of a lonely house. Brusselmans’ typical painting style, where he grabs back to simplicity and clearly alienated figures, remarkably makes it easier to visualize how the sets must have looked during the actual play. It gives the viewer an endless source of imagination. Together with the history behind the work it makes an absolute masterpiece of “Decor for Erwartung’.
Harold t’Kint de Roodenbeke
Jane Graverol (Brussels 1905-1984 Fontainebleau) Femme Libérée, 1949 Oil on canvas 60 x 73 cm Signed and dated 'Jane Graverol 1949' Provenance: collection of his friend and artist Tom Gutt Literature: Xavier Canonne, Le surréalisme en Belgique: 1924-2000, Fonds Mercator, 2006; Le surréalisme en Belgique, Bozar Books, Fonds Mercator, 2024 Exhibitions: Le surréalisme en Belgique, Musée de Mons, March-August 2007; Histoire de ne pas rire, Bozar, Brussels, February-June 2024, ill. p. 221 Created in 1949, the year Jane Graverol met René Magritte, this work is an important example of the artist’s exploration of female identity and confinement. Graverol depicts herself inside a cage. The image reflects on women’s position in the mid-20th century, when social expectations strongly limited women’s independence. Yet, the open door suggests the possibility of emancipation and a desire to break away from prescribed roles. The painting was also repeatedly selected by the press to illustrate coverage of the Bozar exhibition. This artwork embodies something larger: the tension between the restrictions of an era and a woman’s desire to claim a space of her own. Full press references available on request.
Francis Janssens van der Maelen
Philippe Wolfers (Brussels, 1858-1929) Evocation, 1923 Granite H 39 cm Signed by engraving on the neck 'Ph. Wolfers.' Provenance: Wolfers family, created for the renowned Gioconda ensemble Art Deco bust of a woman with hair adorned with a diadem, sculpted in stone. Philippe Wolfers’ Evocation bust, created around 1923 in granite, was part of the emblematic Gioconda ensemble, designed for the 1925 International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Paris. With this ensemble, Wolfers sought to create a true Gesamtkunstwerk - an integrated work of art in which sculpture, furniture, architecture, and silverware engage in dialogue around a unified aesthetic vision. Gioconda was awarded the prestigious Grand Prix at the exhibition.
Herwig Simons Fine Arts
Blue John urn Late 18th century Square base with alabaster and Ashford marble, pedestal clad in Blue John, foot partially clad in blackened brass, ovoid bowl with transverse fluting in Blue John H 40 cm Engraved on the base with inventory n° 890126-0821 and inscribed Hedvig Piper (1746-1812) Born Hedvig Katharina Ekeblad, she married Count Carl Gustaf Piper in 1769 and she held senior positions at the Swedish Royal Court, including chief Lady-in-waiting from 1795-1805.
Van Herck-Eykelberg
Léon Spilliaert (Ostend 1881-1946 Brussels) The White Domino, 1912 India ink, gouache, crayon on paper on cardboard 88.5 x 67.5 cm Signed and dated top right ‘L. Spilliaert / 1912’ The work will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné currently in preparation by Ms. Anne Adriaens Pannier Provenance: Ms Madeleine Spilliaert, Brussels; Ms. Irmingarde van Rossum, Brussel (2000); De Vuyst, Lokeren, 2016, Moderne en Hedendaagse Kunst, n° 163, cat. 163; private collection, Belgium Exhibition: 2000 Knokke, Casino, Léon Spilliaert (1881-1946). Onbekende werken. Oeuvres inédites. Unbekannte Werke. Unseen works, 6 May-18 June 2000; verlenging: 23 June-3 September 2000: cat. 41, ill. in colour p. 77
Francis Janssens van der Maelen
Ravinet d'Enfert Art Deco centrepiece, Paris, circa 1930 Sterling Silver 950 Jardinière: H 9 x W 35 x D 23 cm Mirrored plateau: H 3 x W 50 x D 38 cm Total net silver weight: 4,990 gr Total gross weight: 9,210 gr French Minerva hallmark Important sterling silver centrepiece comprising a jardinière and its mirrored plateau. The jardinière, of geometric canted rectangular form, has a plain body highlighted by stepped moulded borders around the rim and base. It rests on small rectangular feet. Removable silver-plated metal liner bearing the square Ravinet d’Enfert maker’s mark in full. The plateau, of matching rectangular form with canted corners, echoes the geometric lines of the jardinière. It consists of a solid silver frame with stepped geometric mouldings, raised on small feet and enclosing a mirrored glass panel.
LUDORFF
Gerhard Richter (Dresden, 1932) Fuji 839-108, 1996 Oil on alucobond 29 x 37 cm Signed and numbered '839-108' on the reverse Certificate of authenticity issued by Hubertus Butin, Berlin 2010 Provenance: Galerie Hubertus Melsheimer, Cologne (2011); Galerie Ludorff, Dusseldorf (2013); private collection, Hesse (on permanent loan to the Mönchehaus Museum Goslar) Literature: Galerie Ludorff, 'Neuerwerbungen Frühjahr 2024', Dusseldorf 2024, p. 100; Galerie Ludorff, 'Gerhard Richter', Dusseldorf 2013, p. 51; Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen (ed.), 'Gerhard Richter mit dem Catalogue Raisonné 1993-2004', Dusseldorf 2005, n° 839-108; Hubertus Butin/Stefan Gronert, 'Gerhard Richter. Editionen 1965-2004. Catalogue Raisonné', Ostfildern-Ruit 2004, n° 89 Exhibitions: Galerie Ludorff, 'Neuerwerbungen Frühjahr 2024', Dusseldorf 2024; Galerie Ludorff, 'Gerhard Richter. Abstrakte Bilder', Dusseldorf 2013 Gerhard Richter has been exploring abstraction in depth since the late 1960s. In the late 1990s, he developed the ‘Fuji’ series. As part of this series, Richter no longer applies paint to canvas, but to Alucobond, an aluminium composite panel. This highly durable panel with a smooth surface allows for the creation of particularly delicate colour structures. Richter applies the three colours that form the basis of the painting - a vibrant red, a rich green and a warm yellow-orange - to the substrate in three horizontal bands. Using a squeegee, a painting tool resembling a narrow plastic strip, the artist applies the white oil paint and draws it across the coloured surface in thin layers from the top to the bottom edge of the picture. The white paint blends with the tones of the background. This technique creates a highly complex, delicate structure on the panel, characterised by great painterly subtlety. Viewed from top to bottom, red, green and white alternate with one another. The orange, also used by Richter, is now only partially visible in the right-hand half of the composition. As the application of paint with a squeegee can only be controlled to a limited extent, the principle of chance comes into play. The title ‘Fuji’ allows for interpretation on two different levels, namely, ‘[…] the conical volcano on the island of Honshu, which, as Japan’s sacred mountain, is the country’s national symbol, and the Japanese film and photography manufacturer of the same name, whose products are also widely available in Germany. As a photographer, Richter sometimes uses Fuji film; furthermore, in 1991 he spent two weeks travelling through Japan, during which he saw the famous mountain. Some of the paintings, with their streaky, at times almost graphic structural elements, do indeed bear a distant resemblance to old-master Japanese or Chinese landscape depictions.' The background to the creation of the ‘Fuji’ paintings lies in the approach made to the artist by Helmut Friedel, director of the Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus. Richter’s ‘Atlas’ - a collection of photographs, sketches, documents and reference materials by the artist - was to be acquired for the Lenbachhaus collection. To finance the purchase, Richter agreed to paint a series of oil paintings for the museum. The proceeds from the sale of these ‘Fuji’ paintings played a key role in enabling the museum to acquire the ‘Atlas’ collection of documents. Much like the works in the ‘Green-Blue-Red’ series, the appearance of each individual painting in the ‘Fuji Edition’ varies considerably, as they were painted in portrait rather than landscape format. Furthermore, the varying degrees to which the base colours had dried by the time the white layer was applied result in the colours blending in ever-changing ways. Whilst some ‘Fujis’, with their extremely delicate colour blends, invite the viewer to discover their detailed textures, others, in stark contrast, exude a particularly strong sense of self-assurance. Although the ‘Fujis’ comprise a series of 110 works conceived along the same lines, each one is unique and wonderfully illustrates the principle of Gerhard Richter’s abstract painting, which treads the fine line between conceptual work and the principle of chance.
Herwig Simons Fine Arts
Memento Mori Europe, 17th century Carved stone representing a laurel-crowned skull and bones H 28 x D 18 cm Provenance: previously in the collection of Christian de Bruyn, former chairman of the Royal Belgian Chamber of Art and Antique Dealers, now ROCAD; private collection, Paris An evocative and finely carved Memento Mori sculpture depicting a human skull crowned with a laurel wreath and accompanied by crossed bones. Executed in stone, the sculpture displays a richly weathered surface and a beautiful time-worn patina.
Grusenmeyer-Woliner
Power figure (Nkisi) Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kongo, Mayombe region, late 19th century Wood, seeds, beads, metal, glass, and plant fibers (raffia) H 24.5 cm H 29.5 cm (including base) Provenance: Mathias Komor Gallery, New York, USA, 1960s; Elliot Picket (by 1974); Aaron and Joyce Furman, New-York, USA; Daniel Hourdé, Paris; Galerie Alain de Monbrison, Paris Publication: Picket, Elliot, 'L’art Africain congloméré', Arts d’Afrique noire, n° 10, Summer 1974, n° 19, p. 33 Standing just 24.5 cm tall, this exceptional female nkisi from the Mayombe region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo possesses a presence far greater than its size suggests. Its piercing, wide-open eyes, finely modelled features and harmonious proportions reveal the remarkable quality of the carving, while the striking accumulation of black seeds surrounding the body adds to the intensity of its beautifully balanced composition. In Kongo tradition, nkisi figures were created to protect, heal and mediate between the visible and invisible worlds. Activated by a nganga, a ritual specialist and healer, they embodied spiritual forces believed to influence human life. This female figure, with her hands holding her breasts, evokes fertility, motherhood and the continuity of the lineage, while also fulfilling a protective function. At the centre of her abdomen, a mirror conceals a ritual cavity containing bilongo, a potent combination of plant, mineral and animal substances. The mirror establishes a symbolic connection with the spirit world, while the small cowrie shell adorning her forehead evokes prosperity and fertility. What makes this sculpture particularly compelling is the exceptional preservation of its ritual attributes. The abdominal receptacle, its mirror and ritual contents have survived, offering valuable insight into the figure's original spiritual function. Its richly layered, time-worn patina, thick and encrusted in places, bears witness to its ritual history. Equally fascinating are the numerous glossy black seeds, probably from a tropical vine of the Dioclea genus, which have survived along with the cords securing them. Combining sculptural refinement, spiritual significance and a rich assemblage of preserved ritual elements, this intimate yet commanding figure stands as a remarkable testament to the artistic traditions of the Mayombe region.
Bernardini Milano
Rolex, Bienne Rare yellow gold 'oyster chronograph', 1956 18k yellow gold, watch in prestine condition Provenance: previously unknown to the market Edition of 36 made in 18k yellow gold (edition of the late 50s) The untouched case and extensible bracelet host a perfect creamy silvered dial The watch is complete of its original box, papers, invoice and various communications between owner and the Swiss Maison. It is a benchmark in terms of rarity and conservation
Stéphane Renard Fine Art
Maerten de Vos (Antwerp, 1532-1603) The Four Elements: Air, Earth, Water and Fire, 1579 Pen and brown ink wash on laid paper 10 x 13.8 cm (each drawing) The drawings of Earth, Water and Fire are signed and dated 1579 Provenance: private collection, Lyon, France These four previously unpublished drawings were used around 1585 to produce the series of four engravings by Johannes Sadeler (Hollstein 529-532). The success of this publication led, a few years later, to the production of a second, smaller series by Raphael Sadeler, Johannes’s brother (Hollstein Dutch and Flemish, Maerten de Vos, XLIV-XLVI, 1360-1364).
Univers du Bronze
Antonin Mercié (Toulouse 1845-1916 Paris) Gloria Victis, circa 1880-1912 Bronze with richly shaded brown patina and gilt highlights H 187 x W 112 x D 91 cm Reduction n° 1 (3/5 from the original) Signed 'A.Mercié' and bears the founder's mark 'F. Barbedienne Fondeur' Presented as chief-model with assembly and mounting pins parts, like the one described in the Barbedienne catalogue raisonné (Rionnet, 2016): 'En janvier 1912, le sculpteur autorise l’éditeur à monter en épreuve et à mettre en vente le modèle n°1' (In January 1912, the sculptor authorised the publisher to produce a proof and put Model n° 1 on the market). A second example in this size is currently on display at the Musée des Augustins in Toulouse.
Herwig Simons Fine Arts
Door lock with Christ and the Twelve Apostles 17th-century Provenance: former private collection, Belgium Finely crafted 17th-century door lock, featuring an elaborate openwork design depicting Christ and the Twelve Apostles. The lock retains its original key and the lock is in good working order. A fascinating example of 17th-century decorative ironwork, combining historical significance religious iconography, and intricate craftsmanship.
De Wit Fine Tapestries
Large leaf verdure with wild boar Southern Netherlands, possibly Oudenaarde, 16th century Tapestry, wool and silk 265 x 370 cm This Large leaf lerdure with wild boar depicts an idealised view of nature. The vegetation is in bloom and various animals are roaming through the crops. Whilst tapestries of this type often survive in fragments, this piece is complete and contains all the typical, characteristic elements. The piece is in very good condition, with strong contrasting colours that emphasise the illusion of vibrant nature. Whereas we often see oval or circular balustrades in tapestries of this kind, which frame the natural scene behind them, the picture plane here is sharply interrupted by a straight balustrade. A gallery is formed which attempts to keep the viewer at a distance, but it cannot hold back the foliage, and some of the vegetation and animals pass beyond the frame and escape from the border.
Marjan Sterk Fine Art Jewellery
Claude Lalanne (Paris 1925-2019 Fontainebleu) 'Entrelacs' hinged bangle bracelet Paris, circa 1980-1990 18k yellow gold Signed Claude Lalanne Numbered 19/50 and bears the signature of Artcurial, Paris An eighteen carat yellow gold hinged bangle ‘Entrelacs’ designed as organically curling branches between which seven hydrangea flowers, with hinge and catch lock hidden in one of the flowers.
Snackers Antiques & Fine Art
Walter Pompe (Lith 1703-1777 Antwerp) Cross with ivory corpus Antwerp, 1770 Carved wood and ivory H 57.5 x W 27 x D 11 cm Signed Accompanied by a CITES certificate Walter Pompe was a very well-known sculptor, especially of buxus/palm and ivory carvings. The richly decorated Calvary features ivory bones, skull, and the snake with apple.
Univers du Bronze
Auguste Rodin (Paris 1840-1917 Meudon) Saint John the Baptist preaching, cast in 1899 Bronze, richly dark brown patina H 19.6 x W 12.5 x D 5.3 cm Reduction n° 3 (1/10 of original size) Signed Rodin and marked 'Thiebaut frères, Fumière et Gavignot Successeurs' Edition of 4 (in this size) Provenance: Knoedler and Co collection; sale Sotheby’s New York (6 October 1989) Lifetime cast signed 'Rodin', old cast and edition by Thiébaut with the engraved mark 'Thiebaut frères, Fumière et Gavignot Successeurs' (purchase of the funds and Thiébaut rights by Fumière et Gavignot in 1898). This example is probably the first, maybe the second of an edition of 4 cast in 1899 (prime account from 4 February to 9 December 1899), stamped '200' under the base (sale price 200 frs?) and engraved '4' (number of casts?) Rodin began work on his Saint John the Baptist in 1878, while conceiving La Porte de l’Enfer, the monumental project from which some of his most celebrated sculptures would emerge, including Le Penseur, Le Baiser and Ugolino. The inspiration came from his encounter with an Italian model, César Pignatelli, known as Bevilacqua, whose powerful physique and expressive features immediately struck the sculptor. Rodin recognised in him the image of Saint John the Baptist: a man of nature, a visionary and a prophet. This encounter marked the beginning of a collaboration lasting over twenty years, during which Pignatelli became one of Rodin’s favourite models. The original plaster was conceived larger than life, exceeding two metres in height, and exhibited at the Salon in 1880. The following year, the bronze version was presented and subsequently acquired by the French State. In 1898, Rodin signed an edition contract with Fumières et Cie, leading to the production of three reduced versions measuring 80, 50 and 20 cm. The present Saint John the Baptist belongs to the rarest, third-scale version, of which only four examples were produced: two in 1899 and two in 1903. Its simple engraved foundry inscription, rather than a stamp, suggests that it may be the earliest cast. Through the exceptional finesse of its modelling and chiselling, the sculpture recalls the splendour of Renaissance bronzes. Depicted nude and stripped of his traditional attributes, Saint John embodies the prophet’s asceticism. His raised finger evokes his preaching in the desert, while Rodin’s powerful interpretation and striking musculature give the figure an unprecedented expressive force. A seminal work of modern sculpture, Saint John the Baptist profoundly influenced later generations of artists, notably Alberto Giacometti, whose studio contained numerous books, postcards and photographs documenting his fascination with Rodin’s masterpiece.
Spazio Nobile
Didi Ng Wing Yin (Hong Kong, 1989) Pleats Vase Cinnabar Red #19, 2026 Spruce wood, Indian ink, brushed, split, carved, ink-dyed, and finished with shellac H 56.5 x W 36.5 x D 25 cm Unique piece, signed by the artist Certificate of authenticity Literature: Didi Ng Wing Yin, The Nature of Wood, Artist Book, Spazio Nobile Editions, 2026 Exhibitions: LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize finalist, Madrid, 2025; Spazio Nobile Gallery, The Nature of Wood, Solo Exhibition, Brussels, 2025; Fine Arts Asia, Hong Kong, 2026; Homo Faber, Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice, 2026