JOZEF MEES, large abstract oil on board

Mees (1898 – 1987) graduated from the Academy of Ghent, Belgium, in 1920 and initially pursued a career in his family's furniture business. Despite this, he continued to foster his creative aspirations, with his artistic debut occurring in 1924. His early paintings from the 1940s reflect Flemish Expressionism, characterized by animistic themes featuring monumental figures and structured landscapes. By the 1950s, Mees adopted a more abstract approach, imbuing his lyrical canvases with emotive qualities reminiscent of various artistic movements such as the École de la Paris, Jeune Peinture Belge, action painting and post-expressionism. Embracing the use of texture, his colorful and layered works explore the interplay of light, form and content.

Around 1967, Mees transitioned towards more measured and structured compositions, favoring pure planes and precise line work while maintaining his distinctive color palette. Notably, he juxtaposed bright colors against dark backgrounds, infusing his works with a flamboyant character. Mees played a foundational role in establishing the S.M.A.K. which later came under the leadership of Jan Hoet. His openness and progressive vision provided a platform for emerging painters like Roger Raveel, Camille D'havé, Frans Piens, Pierre Vlerick and Marcel Ysewijn to showcase their work at the museum. Moreover, in 1967, he became a co-founder of the Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens. His forward-thinking approach contributed to the museum's evolution and innovation.