Dutrieu Michel

Michel Dutrieu was a Belgian painter, born in Froyennes in 1910 and passed away in Brussels in 1993. He was self-taught but received guidance and support from his father, who was a teacher at Saint-Lucas in Tournai. Dutrieu often spent time at the Belgian coast and visited the studio of James Ensor. He also lived for a while in Walcheren and spent time in Paris, where he worked in the studio of Lacasse. In 1940, he returned to Tournai and eventually settled in Brussels in 1948.  Dutrieu painted landscapes, forest scenes, cityscapes, seascapes, harbor views, figures, nudes, and portraits. His style fluctuated between realism, impressionism, and expressionism. He also drew inspiration from places like Brittany, Honfleur, and other northern French ports. His works are known for their calmness, light, and harmony. He had a remarkable ability to produce subtle color variations: warm rust tones, shimmering azure blues, fresh greens, and heavenly pearl grays. Dutrieu exhibited at the Présences gallery in Brussels in 1989 and 1990. His works can be found in the museum in Tournai. He is mentioned in BAS I and "Two Centuries of Signatures of Belgian Artists" (Piron).