Les Meules

20th-century Belgian School oil painting on wooden panel signed "Jespers" for Floris Jespers (1889-1965) in the lower left. The work is smooth to the touch.

This is an Impressionist depiction of a countryside featuring haystacks, credited to Floris Jespers. The distinct brushstrokes provide texture, yet the overall appearance is seamless. The unique 'comma-like' strokes imbue the piece with emotion and depth. The haystacks are prominently set against a vivid sky, which, while painted with similar vigor, has a more rounded quality. This play of shapes is heightened by the juxtaposition of the sky's cool hues against the warm tones of the earth and field. The painting captures a gentle, subdued natural light.

About the artist:

Floris Jespers was a Belgian avant-garde painter born on March 18, 1889, in Borgerhout, Belgium. He also pursued engraving and sculpture, following in the footsteps of his father and brother. Jespers' artistic education began in 1900 at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. From 1909 to 1913, he studied landscape painting at the National Higher Institute of Fine Arts in Antwerp, under the guidance of Franz Courtens (1854-1943).

Jespers was a versatile artist, exploring styles like constructivism, expressionism, fauvism, and cubism. Along with fellow artists, he co-founded the Bond Zonder Gezegeld Papier (The Federation Without Stamped Paper) in Antwerp, a pivotal hub for avant-garde art that later became a cornerstone in Belgian modernism.

By 1921, Jespers delved into glass painting, pioneering a distinctive technique that melded various artistic influences. That year, he exhibited internationally with esteemed artists such as Dadaist Kurt Schwitters (1887-1948) and Fokko Mees (1887-1968).

The 1930s saw Jespers' art transform into dreamy, fluid portrayals, with Marc Chagall (1887-1985) as a notable influence. His work during this period featured grand-scale pieces with themes encompassing the circus and feminine portrayals.

From 1951 to 1957, Jespers resided in the Congo. The African culture deeply moved him, leading to the creation of vivid, lively art. Upon his return to Belgium, these African-inspired paintings were displayed in Antwerp and Amsterdam.

Throughout his life, Floris Jespers was a dynamic force in art, not just limited to painting but also engraving and sculpture. He died on April 16, 1965, in Antwerp at 76. His legacy remains preserved in many Belgian institutions, notably the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels and Antwerp. 

• Overall Size: 16.1" x 19.6 / 41.5cm x 50.5cm.
• Size without the frame: 12.2" x 16.1" / 31.5 x 41.5cm. 
• Country: Belgium.
• Attributed to: Floris Jespers (1889-1965).
• Date: Mid-20th century.
• Condition: The work and the frame are in very good condition.
• Materials: Oil on wood panel with a stucco and wood frame.
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