The Baptism Ceremony of Jesus Christ (Johannes Van Eyck style tribute) - Door Gevaert (1911-1997)

Surrealistic Painting by Belgian Artist Door Gevaert (1911-1997)

We are pleased to present a large surrealistic painting, by the renowned Belgian surrealist artist, Alidor Petrus Josephus (Door) Gevaert (1911-1997). Painted on board with a cast layer, this heavy and substantial work is in overall good condition with minor restorations. The second painting in the set is also part of our collection.

Gevaert is celebrated for his distinctive surrealist style, which pays homage to the detailed precision and depth of Jan van Eyck. While Gevaert forged his own path in the surrealist and symbolist movements, his work echoes van Eyck’s meticulous approach to detail and use of rich, layered color. This influence is evident in his highly detailed depictions, where the ordinary is transformed into the otherworldly, reminiscent of van Eyck's precise realism infused with surreal imagination.

After completing his secondary studies in Essen, Gevaert pursued art education at the Hoger Instituut Sint-Lucas in Brussels and later studied at the Académie Colarossi in Paris. He spent time in Munich, where he first exhibited pen drawings, before returning to Belgium. He learned to paint striking, detailed figures from his mentor, Aimé Van Bellegem, and initially worked as an ornamental artist before devoting himself to full-time painting in 1945.

Gevaert’s early works leaned towards expressionism, marked by bold distortions of reality. However, after moving to Kortrijk in 1952, he became associated with the Kortrijk painters and gradually shifted to surrealism, influenced by weekly gatherings with fellow artists such as Octave Landuyt, Jacques Pille, and Ernest Aerts. His works began to feature figures with elongated faces and bald heads, exuding an otherworldly, extraterrestrial presence.

Key highlights of Gevaert's career include his 1958 surrealist work *Atomic Woman*, which was selected for the European Prize at the Bruges Biennale. His piece *Mannenkop* won a bronze medal at the Grand Prix of Ostend that same year and was acquired by the Ostend Museum. In 1960, his striking work *Chitine*, depicting the exaggerated head of a larva, earned him another bronze medal at the Great Prize of Ostend. This piece marked his transition towards a more abstract style, which he explored further during his 1961 exhibition at 'Le Zodiaque' in Brussels. In this period, Gevaert often started with figurative forms, reducing them to large areas of color, dominated by rectangular shapes and earth tones, sometimes incorporating materials like sand or marble cubes.

Gevaert exhibited widely, including at the Numero Gallery in Florence (1961) and in Detroit alongside his wife, Margriet Moyaert, in 1963. Moyaert, a talented painter in her own right, was known for her landscapes and floral compositions and served as Gevaert’s muse. In the 1970s, Gevaert returned to a more figurative approach, blending his surrealist roots with his evolving artistic vision.

This painting, with its surrealist homage to the techniques of Jan van Eyck, offers collectors a unique opportunity to acquire a piece by a significant Belgian artist. Shipping costs will be determined post-auction, with free pickup available in Amersfoort, Netherlands.