Karel Appel (1921-2006)

Aliases: Christiaan Karel Appel; Christian Karel Appel; Karel (1921) Appel

Professions: Painter; Sculptor

Karel Appel (b. 1921)
Karel Appel (b. 1921)
KAREL APPEL
Karel Appel (Dutch, B. 1921)

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Karel Appel Biography

(b Amsterdam, 25 April 1921). Dutch painter, sculptor, designer, printmaker and writer. He was first encouraged to paint by an uncle, who gave him a set of paints for his 15th birthday, and he also took painting lessons. From 1940 to 1943 he studied at the Rijksakademie of Amsterdam, where he became friendly with Corneille. His earliest works recalled the painting of George Hendrik Breitner; during World War II, however, he began to paint with a more vigorous palette, with a clear interest in German Expressionism and above all in the work of van Gogh. There was a turning-point in Appel’s style c. 1945 when he found inspiration in the art of the Ecole de Paris and in particular of Matisse and Picasso. This influence remained visible in his work until 1948, for example in a series of plaster sculptures that he made at this time. From 1947, his completely personal, brightly coloured universe of simple, childlike beings and friendly animals populated gouaches, oil pastel drawings, painted wood sculptures and, gradually, oil paintings. His sense of humour comes to the fore in grotesque assembled pieces and wooden reliefs and paintings such as Hip, Hip, Hooray (1949; London, Tate).

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