Gaston Bertrand

1910 (Wonk, Belgium) – 1994 (Brussels, Belgium)

Gaston Bertrand was one of the founders of the artists’ association Jeune Peinture Belge in 1945. This heterogeneous group wanted to promote young Belgian artists, both nationally and internationally. Bertrand initially worked in a figurative style. From 1949 onwards, he painted abstract with figurative elements. Nature and his familiar environment were his most important sources of inspiration. In addition, works were created with topics such as the Paris metro, Italian architecture and landscapes from the Provence. Gaston Bertrand regularly worked in series. He was a source of inspiration for many of the Belgian post-war abstract artists, in particular he was a mentor for Guy Vandenbranden.

Gaston Bertrand in his studio, ca. 1950

Gaston Bertrand

Composition - 1950
watercolor on paper - 23 x 31 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Forme II - 1949
watercolor on paper - 32 x 23 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Les chemins I - 1951
watercolor on paper - 32.5 x 25 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Composition pour un mur II - 1952
watercolor on paper - 21.2 x 29.7 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Surfaces roses et bleues - 1954
watercolor on paper - 26 x 39 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Surfaces rouges - 1954
watercolor on paper - 29 x 38 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Géometrie XXII - 1949
watercolor on paper - 27 x 18 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Géometrie II - 1949
watercolor on paper - 25 x 17 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Forme III - 1949
watercolor on paper - 31 x 23 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Géometrie V - 1949
watercolor on paper - 17 x 25 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Géometrie I - 1949
watercolor on paper - 25 x 17 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Géometrie XIII - 1949
watercolor on paper - 25 x 17 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Intérieur et perspective - 1948
watercolor on paper - 26.5 x 36 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Le hangar V - 1950
watercolor on paper - 24.9 x 32.5 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Projet de tapisserie IV - 1956
watercolor and gouache on paper - 29.5 x 39.4 cm

Gaston Bertrand

Les écrans (II) - 1951
watercolor on paper - 27 x 37 cm