Douwes Fine Art

Paintings 1800-1945, Amsterdam 750

description

The abstract, spontaneous, expressive, and free-spirited style that came to characterise the international CoBrA movement is epitomised in Karel Appel’s figurative compositions.
Appel was a full member and co-founder of the artist movement, which in 1948 in a small Parisian café was given the name CoBrA. The aesthetic program was clear and above discussion; the idiom was to be reborn and given an innocent, almost childish expression.
Karel Appel’s international breakthrough takes place in 1953, a few years after his CoBrA adventure, when his work is shown at the São Paulo Biennale. Solo exhibitions will follow in New York and Paris. The artist becomes successful and receives recognition from museums, at international art presentations and manifestations. This is a very early work by the artist, when he was only 20 years of age. It shows his proficiency early on before he would eventually create his own style and found the CoBrA movement. A unique work that helps paint a picture of Karrel Appel’s talent and early development.

Provenance:
Pieter de Dood, Amsterdam, thence by descent.
Collectie Mariska Alberts van Smirren, Amsterdam.
Kunsthandel Rueb, Amsterdam.
Private collection, The Netherlands 1999.
Adams Amsterdam
Douwes Fine Art, 2024

Karel Appel (Amsterdam 1921 - Zurich 2006)

“Prinseneiland, Amsterdam, 1941”

Oil on canvas: 42 x 60 cm

signed and dated ‘CK. Appel 41’ (lower right)

frame size 58 x 77 cm.

Accompanied by a copy of a postcard by Harriet Appel-De Visser, dated 1994.

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