SikkensFoundation
Publications
AMÉDÉE CORTIER, 1973 — Amédée Cortier was an abstract painter and screen prin- ter who trained at the Academy of Ghent (1936-42). Un- der the infuence of the expressionists from Latem, he made a post-expressionist debut. In about 1950, Cortier experimented with geometric abstraction, but he returned to figurative art with Cubist still lifes. From 1960 he evolved permanently towards geometrical abstraction re- sulting in monochrome works. His works can be seen in museums in Brussels, Tournai, Ghent, ostend and Rot- terdam. Back to index
In 1973, a publication on this constructivist artist was supported by the Foundation. The board was convinced that the work of this painter from Ghent deserved greater recognition. From 1957, Cortier’s paintings revealed a consistent use of fat planes of color. These could also be used in our living space. They are not rigid impersonal planes of color, because the hand of the painter can al- ways be identifed in the execution so that the work al- ways retains an intimate and personal character. The book which was aimed at making Cortier better known, and which was funded by Sikkens Foundation, was com- posed by Hein van Haaren, Yves de Smet and William Graatsma, on the initiative of Jo Eyck, the idealistic art loving director of the Jac. Eyck paint industry in Heerlen. It was printed at the Drukkerij Rosbeek in Hoensbroek. However, Cortier died in 1976, before the book was pu- blished. In 1977, a retrospective exhibition of Cortier’s work was held in the Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels at the same time as the publication of the book. Download text as pdf
