Arts Book
Hans Hartung is one of the most important figures of 20th century abstract art and the founder of lyrical abstraction.
The German-born artist moved to France in the 1930s in response to the Nazi regime in his country and naturalized as a Frenchman after the war. He fights on the French side in the Foreign Legion in which he loses a leg. After the war, Hartung continued to devote his life to art and became the pioneer of a new abstraction.
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Although abstract art was already a familiar concept for several years in the early 20th century with artists such as Mondrian, Kandinsky and Malevich, Hartung wanted to give his own interpretation of this art form early on (his first abstract works date from 1922). He wants to free abstract art from its rigid and theoretical straitjacket, putting the freedom and personality of the artist back in the first place. Hartung thus becomes the father of this new form of abstract art, lyrical abstraction.
This style of painting is characterized by free and fast line work without figurative suggestion. Despite the sometimes seemingly chaotic energy emanating from these works, with Hartung the absence of control is merely an illusion. His linework was very deliberate and controlled, even founded on the classical proportions of the golden ratio.
Hartung was also an innovator in the technical field through the use of homemade working tools such as spatulas, special paint brushes, branches, paint sprayers and by working, for example, on baryté cardboard, which allowed him to achieve lasting and stronger contrast in his colors.
Already during his lifetime, Hans Hartung enjoyed great respect among fellow artists such as Mark Rothko, Georges Mathieu and Pierre Soulages, and his influence on art history is becoming increasingly apparent. Consequently, this has been noticeable in recent years by the increasing interest in his work by major museums, international galleries and in the global art market. This exhibition shows that Hans Hartung deserves his prominent place in 20th century art history, as the father of lyrical abstraction and as an innovator of abstract art.
Samuel Vanhoegaerden Gallery
Founded in 2000, Samuels gallery specializes in modern and post-war art. He organized solo exhibitions of Belgian artists such as Panamarenko, Christian Dotremont, Bram Bogart and Fred Eerdekens. In addition, Samuel Vanhoegaerden presented work by international artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Tom Wesselmann, Alexander Calder, George Rickey and Sam Francis and James Ensor.
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