1962-1992 Belgian Period

BELGIUM AND NETHERLANDS

At this time, he was facing marital problems. He is torn, he saw the future without his daughters and forced to separate. His wife and his daughters will actually move and live in Lausanne.

In 1962, he returned to Belgium and settled in Zeeland, in the Netherlands. He renovated a large barn in Zuidzande covered with a roof of corrugated two sides, and fully glazed on three while large double doors give access to a terrace at the back. Everything is white and bright, inside and outside the minimalist decoration allows him to devote himself entirely to his paintings. He lived alone, in this serene universe, among the locals who respected his desire for solitude. Then he met a belgian lady who understood him and helped him a lot for his exhibitions. His wife and his son came to join him during the week ends.

He felt a need solitude to preserve a work introspective, closed in on itself, by absenting himself from the world. Around 60's, the geometric developments of his work moved in an intimate space in which light reaches spirituality. The geometric shapes (rectangles, squares, diamonds) are adjusted as for a building with no elements is figurative. A luminous presence transcends its composition in a color balance.

 

Its Belgian period between 1970 and 1988 is the longest and most interesting beach of hislife.It is more personal and emotional inits minimal geometry.
 It marks a synthesis Europe / America, a fusion of the two trends. The series of paintings created in the 1970s and 1980s is very significant.
It extracts itself from the old cubism in a space and cosmic propulsion. This minimalist final painting dialogues with Poliakoff and Nicolas de Staël.
Inthe lastyears, he extracted himself from all schools and influences to create a truly personal, liberated and original work.

 

Years 1963, 1964 and 1965

 
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Studi in Zuidzande 2
Land Magazine 07.31.1970 Marie-Claire Nov. 1968
E 64 oil on paper 357 x 268 cm E 64 Gouache on cardboard 27 x 355 cm Black and white shapes and yellow on black background
"Σ 64" signed, Oil on paper 35,7 x 26,8 cm Coll AB "Σ 64" signed, Gouache on cardboard 27 x 35,5 cm Coll. OT
E 62 Oil on canvas 41 x 328 cm E 65 Oil on canvas 100 x 81 cm Three greys and black Elie Borgrave 1965 n33 Ancient Jo Gérard ollection
"Σ 62" monogrammed, Oil on canvas 41 x 32,8 cmColl RL "Σ 65" monogrammed, Oil on canvas 81 x 100 cm Coll. OT

 

Visit the catalogue raisonné Years 1960

A turning point occurs from 1965, the choice of new themes circles as a highly symbolic. They are a cosmic sign, but at the same time tending to the couples union.

"The possible variations in the development of this theme, taken from my unconscious, are revealed to me inaction and the material of my work"

The circle evokes both a cosmic sign, the over whelming size of the order of the universe, the heavenly bodies or the symbol of gear time. Pole voltage with other circles, other poles.

"Symbols. Circle, symbol of cyclical time, the vertical direction of the sky, horizontal, the breadth of the earth, the cross, the universal man, the number 3, the symbol of perfection, the number 2, that of couple,who find themselves in my work and symbols invented by the artist, and read by the viewer."

Herbert Read described this movement as “an enormous endeavour to free the spirit, from the corruption of the conscience, which suppressed emotion, sentimentality or dogmatics, bears false testimony to feeling and experience”
IMG 8436 Elie Borgrave's compass he used in his circles.

 

Year 1966
About technics, he used many different kinds of painting, oil on canvas, enamel on cardboard, oil on plywood, oil on paper or acrylic on cardboard.
E 66 130 x 120 cm E 66 60 x 40 cm

"Σ66" Acrylic on canvas
75 x 106cm Coll.AB

"Σ 66 The Couple" Oil on canvas
130 x 120 cm Coll. N&S B.

"Σ 66" Oil on plywood
66 x 40 cm Coll. N&S B
Year 1967
E 67 45 x 31 cm E 67 Huile sur carton 54 x 35 cm Coll.CD
Σ 67 N°11"Les deux dans le Temps"
Enamel on cardboard
62 x 44 cm Coll. AB.		 "Σ 67" Acrylic on plywood
140 x 100 cm Coll. AB.		 "Σ 67" N°9 "Pôle dans le Temps"
Enamel on cardboard
45 x 31 cm Coll. N&SB.		 "Σ 67" Oil on cardboard
54 x 35 cm Coll. CD.
Year 1968
E 68 Black ink on paper N 35 Rythmes dun avenir proche 71 x 53 cm E 68 985 x 68 cm Moment présent Oil on cardboard E 68 Oil on canvas N97 Amour Cosmique 146 x 97 E 68 Huile sur papier 72 x 55 cm Coll.CD
"Σ 68" Rhythms of the near future"n°35
Ink on paper
71 x 35 cm Coll. AB.		 "Σ 68" Moment présent" Oil on cardboard
98,5 x 68 cm Coll. CD.		 "Σ 68"Cosmic love"n°97 Oil on canvas
146 x 97 cm Coll. AB.		 "Σ 68" Oil on paper
72 x 55 cm Coll. CD.
E 67 Oil on cardboard 218 x 31 cm Black surrounded white cycles and stripes on red background
"Σ 67" Oil on cardboard 218 x 31 cm Coll. AB
E 68 Oil on cardboard 206 x 31 cm Blavk and white linked cycles
"Σ 68" Oil on cardboard 206 x 31 cm Coll. AB

 

New period opens with a very geometric theme in which colors play an important role.

Rectangles,triangles and geometric shapes play with stripes in a total development of the color.

 

"There is a necessary connection between geometry, aesthetics and metaphysics. Not the purely mathematical geometry, but a symbolic and poetic geometry that affects the expression of the eternal." EB

 

Land Mag. Grange à Zuidzande 31.07.70 Land Mag. Atelier à Zuidzande 31.07.70 1978-1982 EB photo compressée
Land Magazine : 07.31.1970
Studio in Zuidzande (Netherlands)
 
 
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Year 1969
Poliakoff said in "GoldenSection" 1951-1952
"In 1952, Poliakoff says tha tone of the qualities of painting is to be a geometric but not geometry drought. This principle involves in the arrangement of forms often developed according to the golden ratio,Pythagore an report defines the ideal proportions. the composition is often based on binary figures, that the painter is testing the format, either vertical or horizontal."
E 69 162 x 114 cm 2 E 69 44 x 29 cm
 
"Σ 69" Oil on canvas 162 x 114 cm Coll. N&S B
"Σ 69" Oil on cardboard 44 x 29 cm Coll. N&S B
E 69 162 x 97 cm
E 69 Oil on canvas 80 x 116 cm Red and black with white stripes on grey background
"Σ 69" Oil on canvas 162 x 97 cm Coll. N&S B.
"Σ 69" Oil on canvas 80 x 116 cm Coll. OT

Year 1970

Visit the Catalogue Raisonné Years 1970

 
E 70 146 x 114 cm E 70 Oil on canvas Birds 162 x 130
Σ 70 Oil on canvas 146 x 114 cm Coll. N&S B
Σ 70 Oil on canvas 162 x 130 cm Coll. AB
E 70 Oil on canvas 97 x 195 cm White stripes on coloured shapes and black background V24
 
Σ 70 Oil on canvas 195 x 97 cm Coll. OT
Year 1971
E 71 70 x 60 cm E 71 Oil on canvas Green yellow white rectangles on black 50 x 60 cm Sale De Vuyst 399 E 71 U12 146 x 97 cm
Σ 71 Oil on cardboard 70 x 60 cm Coll. N&S B.
Σ 71 Oil on canvas 50 x 60 cm Coll. AB. De Vyust
"Σ 71" Oil on cardboard 39 x 35 cm Coll. N&S B.
 
E 71 90 x 60 cm Oil on canvas Grey stripes on brown background
 
 
Σ 71 Oil on canvas 90 x 60 cm Coll. AB F
 
E 71 Black ink on paper 395 x 32 E 71 Black ink on paper 32 x 40 cm
Σ 71" Ink on paper 39,5 x 32 cm Coll.AB
"Σ 71" Ink on paper 32 x 40 cm Coll. AB
E 71 Oil on canvas 90 x 115 cm Exhibited in Brussels Goup2Gallery 1996 exhibited Fisher E 71 Huile sur carton 49 x 45 cm Coll.CD

"Σ 71" Oil on canvas 115 x 89 cm Coll. AB Exhibited at Fisher Gallery London in 1972 and

at Group2Gallery in 1997

"Σ 71" Oil on cardboard 49 x 45 cm Coll. CD
E 71 Oil on canvas 81 x 100cm Two blues on light grey background black surrounded
E 71 Oil on panel Blue and white stripes on black 60 x 30 cm

Σ 71 Oil on canvas 81 x 100 cm Coll. OT

Σ 71 Oil on panel 60 x 30 cm Coll. AB

Year 1972

 

We are seeing a gradual clarification of the content with a reduced number of geometric forms, a chromatic reduction to two or three colors on a plain background. The forms are investing the plane space of the canvas that is gaining synthesis, depth and serenity.

Exhibition Poliakoff (10.18.2013 - 02.23.2014) "The dream forms"

"The dream in itself forms 1950-1951
 The formal repertoire of Poliakoff consists of geometric figures (half circles, trapezoids, triangles, rectangular strips) that are never perfect. Sometimes they interlock and overlap, sometimes they burst, since the corners of the canvas, constructed in the manner of bonding. The whole is however strictly architected and shapes meet in a dynamic equilibrium voltage. The gaze goes from one to another according to a time sequence and musical nature. "

 
E 72-5 Haspeslagh Huile sur toile n 72-5 Dim 90 x 110 cm DxO DxO
E 72 Oil on canvas 116 x 89 cm Violet and prune shapes on white background
E 72 Oil on canvas 81 x 100 cm Orange and brown lihgt brown surrounded
Σ 72-5 Oil on canvas 90 x 110 cm Coll. Hh
Σ 72 Oil on canvas 116 x 89 cm Coll. AB
Σ 72 Oil on canvas 100 x 81 cm Coll. OT

Year 1973

 
 
 
E 73 Oil on cardboard
E 73 Huile sur carton 255 x 203 cm Coll.CD
Collection Kim Andringa 40 rue de lAbbé Carton 75014 09 53 89 29 87 Peter Andringas daughter photograph E 73 oil on cardboard 785 x 635 cm
Σ 73 Oil on cardboard Coll. PS

Σ 73 Oil on cardboard 25,5 x 20,3 cm Coll. CD

 

Σ 73 Oil on cardboard 78,5 x 63,5 cm Coll.KA
E 73 Oil on canvas 80 x 100 Ekhibited at Vedovi Gallery in Brussels

E 73-29 97 x 130 cm

E 73-13 Haspeslagh Huile su toile n 73-13 Dim 130 x 80 cm DxO
Σ 73 Oil on canvas 80 x 100 cm
Exhibited at Vedovi Gallery Coll. AB
 Σ73 Oil on canvas 130 x97 cm Coll. N&S B
Σ 73-13 Oil on canvas 130 x 80 cm Coll. Hh
Year 1974
E 74 Brown printing 418 x 295 E 74 Paper print 52 x 397 cm E 75 Sepia print on paper 355 x 27 cm
Σ 74 Brown print 41,8 x 29,5 cm Coll. AB Σ 74 Brown print 52 x 39,7cm Coll. AB Σ 74 Brown print 35,5 x 27cm Coll AB
E 74-4 120 x 100 cm E 74 505 x 345 cm Oil on canvas Yellow light green and black on brown background E 74 126 x 1055 cm Oil on canvas Linked two blues and light grey on black back background
Σ 74-4 Oil on canvas 120 x 100 cm Coll. N&S B. Σ 74 Oil on canvas 50,5 x 34,5 cm Coll. AB F. Σ 74 Oil on canvas 126 x 105,5 cm Coll. AB F
E 74-20 Oil on canvas 112 x 145 cm Linked orange and two reds Exhibited at Galerie Yoshi in Paris
E 74-7 100 x 120 cm
E 74-8 Haspeslagh Huile sur toile n74-8 Dim 80 x 100 cm DxO

Σ 74-20 Oil on canvas 112 x 145 cm Coll. OT
Exhibited at Yoshii Gallery in 78

Σ 74-7 Oil on canvas 100 x 120 cm Coll. N&S B.
Σ 74-8 Oil on cardboard 80 x 100 cm Coll. Hh

E 74 130 x 97 cm
E 74-11 100 x 81 cm
Σ 74 Oil on canvas 130 x 97 cm Coll. N&S B.
Σ 74-11 Oil on canvas 100 x 81 cm Coll. N&S B
Year 1975
E 75 Oil on canvas 129 x 108 cm White shape on black background E 75 80 x 60 cm E 75-30 Oil on carboard 397 x 333 cm
Σ 75 Oil on canvas 129 x 108 cm Coll. OT Σ 75-23 (S28-U25) Oil on canvas mounted on cardboard 80 x 60 cm Coll. N&S B Σ 75-30 Oil on cardboard 39,7 x 33 cm Coll. AB
E 75 40 x 33 cm E 75-31 61 x 41 cm E 75-11 Oil on cardboard 40 x 37 cm Red and white geometric linked shapes black surrounded
Σ 75 Oil oncardboard 40 x 33 cmColl. N&S B Σ 75-31 Oil on cardboard 61 x 41 cm Coll. N&S B Σ 75-11 Oil on canvas 40 x 37 cm Coll. OT

 

 

The purest geometry is highlighted to achieve simplified shapes insimple colors with his research of extreme harmony

 

 

Year 1976

 

E 76-12 73 x 100 cm 2

 E 76 40 x 50 cm

E 76-28 50 x 70 cm

Σ 76-12 Oil on canvas 73 x 100 cm Coll.N&SB Σ 76 Oil on cardboard 40 x 50 cm Coll. N&SB Σ 76-28 Oil on cardboard 50 x 70 cm Coll. N&S B
E 76-38 50 x 40 cm E 76-39 73 x 100 cm E 76 Huile sur panneau 29 x 19 cm Coll.CD
Σ 76-38 Oil on cardboard 50 x 40 cm Coll. N&S B Σ 76-39 Oil on canvas 73 x 100 cm Coll. N&S B Σ 76 Oil on panel 29 x 19 cm Coll. CD
E 76 Gouache on paper 725 x 565 cm E 77-27 Oil on plywood Two greys and black 29 x 298 cm E 78-8 oil on plywood 198 x 13
Σ 76 Lithography Coll. AB                                     Σ 77-27 Oil on plywood 29 x 29,8 cm Coll.AB                         Σ 78-8 Oil on plywood 19,8 x 13 cm Coll. AB

Year 1978


E 78-5 60 x 80 cm

 E 78-24 80 x 90 cm E 79-19 25 x 32 cm
Σ 78-5 Oil on canvas 60 x 80 cm Coll.N&S B
Σ 78-24 Oil on canvas 80 x 90 Coll. N&S B.
Σ 79-19 Oil on cardboard 25 x 32 cm Coll. N&S B.

Years 1980

Evolution is reflected in the work of Elie Borgrave by simplifying forms, a combination of geometry and aesthetics is not an end in itself but is in charge of philosophy.
Colors play a primary role, values are essential in a search for harmony.

 

Visit the Catalogue Raisonné Years 1980

E 80-23 56 x 40 cm                                               E 80-23 56 x 40 cm back
Σ 80 Oil on cardboard 56 x 40 cm Coll. xN&S B. Back of the painting E 80
                              E 80-25 Oil on cardboard 83 x 63 cm Coll. NS B  E 81-8 Oil on cardboard 105 x 80 cm Coll. NS B
Σ 80-25 Oil on canvas 83 x 63 cm Coll. N&S B.
 Σ 81-8 Oil on canvas 105 x 80 cm Coll. N&S B.
E 81-11 83 x 56 cm E 81-22 Oil on canvas 115 x 875
Σ 81-11 Oil on canvas 83 x 56 cm Coll. N&S B. Σ 81-22 Oil on canvas 115 87,5 cm Coll. AB

 

  

The exhibition in Lausanne in 1981 gave him the opportunity to express himself and explain the philosophy of his painting.

 

"Order, balance, harmony symbols of peace, that's what I wanted to express in a stripped plastic language which is similar perhaps to some form of Buddhism."

«An American critic has said a few years ago that a theory on art was essential for the understanding of many modern paintings. Without doubt, a short presentation on my painting approach would seem appropriate."

"While avoiding representation, on the other hand, I have sought a form of symbolism. For example, in some of my paintings, there are two similar shapes that intermingle, setting up a variant of the Chinese Yin and the Yang, symbols of the male and female complementarity in nature."

"I also discovered that there is a tight relation between a certain geometry, aesthetics and metaphysics.


“The symbol gives to the spirit a form in the matter. To Symbolize. Geometry gives peace to the spirit. The artist gives to the spirit and the idea a form in the matter. It is this form apprehended by the directions which transmits the truth the artiste found himself without the interference of the concrete."

 EB 20.03.85

 

 

Back in Belgium, he worked in a new studio avenue Winston Churchill, 239 at Ixelles, near home.

 
E 83-30 Oil on carboard Bordeaux orange and pink 325 x40 cm E 84 Oil on cardboard 70 x 50 cm Ocher green black white surrouded         
E 87 60 x 80 cm
Σ 83-30 Oil on cardboard 32,5 x 40 cm Coll.AB
Σ 84 Oil on carboard 70 x 50 cm Coll.AB
 Σ 87 Oil on cardboard 60 x 80 cm Coll. N&S B
E 88 110 x 81 cm     E 88 89 x 116 cm 2
Σ 87 Oil on canvas 60 x 80 cm Coll. N&S B. Σ 88 Oil on canvas 89 x 116 cm Coll. N&S B.

 

The last few years saw flourish shapes that echo those of his early career, but revisited by very geometric shapes and flamboyant colors, cheerful and bright.

 

Years 1990

Visit the Catalogue Raisonné Years 1990

E 91 116 x 89 CD-P DxO E 91 116 x89 CD-P DxO E 91 116 x 89 cm AB-P 2 DxO E 92 116 x 89 AB-P DxO
Σ 91 Oil on canvas 116 x 89 cm Coll. CD Σ 91 Oil on canvas 116 x 89 cm Coll. CD Σ 91 Oil on canvas 116 x 89 cm Coll. AB Σ 92 Oil on canvas 116 x 89 cm Coll. AB

 

E 92 Huile sur toile 725 x 60 cm Coll.CD E 92 Oil on canvas 116 x 89 E 90 116 x 89 CD-P 4 DxO
Σ 92 Oil on canvas 116 x 89 cm Coll. AB Σ 92 Oil on canvas 72,5 x 60 cm Coll. CD

Σ 90 Oil on canvas 116 x 89 cm Coll. CD

 

 

October 16, 1992 Elie Borgrave deceased in Ixelles, Belgium.