Gérard Laenen 1899–1980 (1931–1932, Three-quarter-length Portrait Of A Burmese Prince)

LAENEN Gerard

Mechelen 1899 – Etterbeek 1980

Surrealist painter and sculptor. Signed Gerard Laenen

Studied at the Academies of Mechelen (J. Rosier, T.

Blickx) and Brussels (C. Montald, V. Rousseau).

Initially drew scenes of Brussels and Belgian flora. Traveled to Germany and Burma (1931–32). He brought back from his travels in the Far East large, vividly rendered views of picturesque towns and impressionist landscapes.
* A rare expressionist work from his trip to Burma depicting a Burmese prince in a three-quarter profile, created between 1931 and 1932 (The signature and the gouache study on the reverse of a Burmese man’s head correspond to this Expressionist period of the artist’s career; see photo)
Medium: oil on paper
Signature: lower right (see photo)
Condition: Never unframed; pigments retain their fresh vibrancy
Dimensions: 47 cm x 73 cm
* On view at ‘Sablon Antiques Center,’ 39, Place du Grand Sablon, 1000 Brussels
** I apologize for not being able to take better photos due to the glass protecting the work; if you’d like, I can send you a video of the work via “WhatsApp”