Lucebert (1924-1994)

The Dutch painter Lucebert (Lubertus S. Swaanswijk) started his career as the well known poet of the CoBrA movement (1948-1951). Although he did not participate in any of the Cobra exhibitions as an artist, he played an important role within the group, being the master of ceremonies and giving poetical performances during the group exhibitions. Lucebert combined poetry with painting in the eight books he made during the years 1949-1951. These works have been published in all publications relating to CoBrA. In the late 1950’s strongly under the influence of Cobra, Lucebert directs his creativity more and more to painting.

With close affinities to Surrealism and Primitive Art, one finds in his work the freedom and fantasy that characterize the CoBrA movement. For it was not after 1956 that Lucebert started to paint as it was then that he had the means to do so. Before that time Lucebert made numerous drawings which prepared him in a way for the large canvas. The 'elements of surprise'  from which his drawings derives, are also applied in his paintings at that time. In his work a stain or any kind of unforeseen ink form leads to a figure, whether it is a deformed little man or a big bird. However, colours are a very important factor in Lucebert’s paintings whereas his drawings are mainly black and white. The surprise of mixing the pigments is therefore also a satisfying element. In the final stage of the painting the black outlines presenting the final imaginary creatures loom out of the various colours and structures of the work.

Lot 143 Dorfsscene bears all the characteristics of Lucebert’s early work of poems and drawings as well as portents of the large painting oeuvre still to come and can therefore be mentioned as one of Lucebert’s best works. It’s all there: graphic, imaginative, poetic, the fantastical, deformed figuration and Lucebert’s so typical use of colour, alternately vivid and muted.