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Robert Detheux "Le secrétaire particulier" painted in 1976
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Batalha, PortugalOn Whoppah since July 2024 • 57 sales
Product description
Sold framed
This painting by Robert Detheux, entitled *Le secrétaire particulier* (1976), offers an enigmatic, subtle depiction of a stylized, almost ghostly figure. The drawing, done with a very pale palette and delicate strokes, gives an impression of fragility and vagueness, as if the figure were fading or dissolving into an abstract, textured backdrop.
The central figure, dressed in a slightly exaggerated shirt, wears round glasses that accentuate his empty, almost mechanical gaze. This stylization evokes a certain emotional distance, reinforced by the absence of expressive details on the face. The graphic treatment, with its fine lines and light hatching, creates an introspective, almost melancholy atmosphere.
The background, composed of abstract, repetitive motifs, seems to envelop the figure, suggesting an environment both confined and impersonal, perhaps symbolizing the administrative or bureaucratic function of the "private secretary". The work plays on the tension between presence and absence, humanity and mechanism, questioning the nature of the social role and the place of the individual in a rigid professional context.
In short, Detheux's painting combines finesse of line, abstraction and a strong symbolic charge to offer a reflection on identity and social function, in an aesthetic that is both sober and mysterious.
Robert Detheux (1935-2010) - Surrealism, Dadaism, Lyrical abstraction
An exceptional discovery: Robert Detheux's secret studio finally revealed!
Following the revelation of his long-hidden studio, I had the unique opportunity to acquire Robert Detheux's entire studio collection: over 1,200 works spanning his entire career, from his first experiments in 1949 to his last creations, two years before his death in 2010. Each piece is certified by the artist's original stamp.
Born in Brussels, Robert Detheux established himself as a singular figure on the Belgian art scene in the 1950s. Close to the surrealist circles inherited from Magritte and Paul Nougé, he distinguished himself with works in which the imaginary, the unconscious and the absurd are interwoven with poetry and humor. His commitment to Dadaism led him to explore collage, assemblage and automatic writing, giving his work great formal freedom.
His Surrealist and Dadaist paintings testify to a profuse inventiveness and a strong taste for surprise. From the 1970s onwards, Detheux moved towards lyrical abstraction, without ever renouncing the spirit of experimentation of his early days. His abstract works, vibrant with color and gesture, retain a dreamlike dimension and a unique visual poetry.
Robert Detheux has exhibited in numerous Belgian and European galleries, including Galerie Isy Brachot in Brussels. His work can be found in many public and private collections, embodying the spirit of experimentation and freedom of post-war Belgian art.
Each work will be sent flat-packed, carefully protected. Some pieces may be slightly missing or flawed, reflecting their history.
**Sources**
- Archives of Galerie Isy Brachot, Brussels
- Dictionary of Belgian painters (Arto)
- Exhibition catalogs (1950-1980)
- Publications on Surrealism and Dadaism in Belgium
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsGrey, Brown, OrangeMaterialPaperNumber of items1OrientationPortraitArt sizeMediumHeight52 cmWidth42 cmDepth1 cm
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About this seller
Batalha, PortugalOn Whoppah since July 2024 • 57 sales