Crommelynck Robert

Robert Crommelynck was a Belgian artist, born in Liège in 1895 and died in Liège in 1968. He was a painter, engraver, draftsman, illustrator, designer of publicity work and carpets. He received his training at the Academy in Liège, under the guidance of A. De Witte, Ev. Carpentier and E. Berchmans (1909-1921). In 1924 he worked in the studio of J. Ochs and learned engraving techniques there. He created religious compositions, portraits, figures and landscapes. He specialized in the monotype technique. In the 1920s he made his debut with religious scenes, usually of mystical inspiration, after which he discovered the landscape in the Fens and Brittany. In the realistic representation of portraits and figures one can sometimes find traces of bitterness. In 1934 he stayed in Spain, where he painted landscapes and characters that appeared more optimistic. In the period 1935-1937 he traveled to Austria, Germany and Italy, where he studied the fresco paintings. He made a thirty-meter fresco for the Lyceum Waha in Liège (1938-1940). Later, in 1949 and 1951, he returned to Spain. From 1944 to 1960 he was a teacher of decorative and mural art at the Academy in Liège. From 1962 he focused on the pastel technique. We find work by Robert Crommelynck in the Musée de l'Art Wallon and in the Print Room in Liège. He is mentioned in BAS I and Two centuries of signatures of Belgian artists. (Piron)