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Robert Detheux "Silence forcé" magnificent painting from 1976
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Batalha, PortugalOn Whoppah since July 2024 • 58 sales
Product description
This work by Robert Detheux, dated 1976 and entitled *Silence forcé*, unfolds an enigmatic, introspective atmosphere through a delicate, textured composition. The central silhouette, sketched by fine, almost evanescent lines, seems enveloped in a complex veil of repetitive patterns, evoking both a human form and a veiled, fragile, silent presence.
The face, reduced to two dark oval shapes, suggests an absence of expression or a forced neutrality, reinforcing the theme of imposed silence. The figure as a whole appears both frozen and imprisoned in an abstract space, where textures overlap to create a sensation of suffocation and confinement.
The title *Forced Silence* resonates with this visual representation of an inner constraint, a deprivation of speech or expression, conveyed by the subtle graphic treatment and monochrome palette. The work invites reflection on the mechanisms of social or psychological silence, on the difficulty of making oneself heard in a world that is sometimes opaque and restrictive.
With his approach blending abstraction and figuration, Robert Detheux offers a poetic and disturbing meditation on the human condition, where the voice is silenced, forced by invisible but powerful forces.
This piece perfectly illustrates Detheux's ability to combine finesse of line, symbolism and atmosphere, in a style close to surrealism and lyrical abstraction.
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
ConditionExcellentColorsWhite, BeigeMaterialPaperNumber of items1OrientationPortraitArt sizeMediumHeight52 cmWidth42 cm
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About this seller
Batalha, PortugalOn Whoppah since July 2024 • 58 sales