UNTITLED

CORNEILLE

Paul Klee once said, "Art does not reproduce what we see; rather, it makes us see. " This is one of the key principles followed by CoBrA, an art movement established in 1948. The most prominent characteristics underlying most CoBrA's works are the bright colors, the sense of freedom, the constantly changing symbols, and the rich meaning in each figure. Childlike silhouettes and pure, cartoonish animal figures are frequently seen in their paintings, and often, they resemble nothing named.

Dutch painter Corneille is a founder of CoBrA and one of the most active Expressionist CoBrA painters. He is famous for the vivid colors and a hint of abstraction in his paintings. The inspiration for his bold style comes from the great artists Miró and Klee, as well as children's paintings, folk art, and primitive art; he had progressed beyond the traditional academic art. When the CoBrA movement disbanded in 1951, Corneille moved to Paris, and afterwards started to leave more space for imagination in his compositions. For example, take the exotic landscape paintings from a birds eye view: a myriad of colours, powerful strokes, and childlike figures together create an interesting work that catches one's eye. This painting, Untitled, has all the familiar elements in Corneille's works: a bird, a cat, women, and landscapes. An air of mystery fills the picture, and yet is expressed in a childish manner. The entire composition is interesting, full of life, and free-spirited, presenting an easy and pure world.