Corneille

Corneille (Guillaume Cornelis van Beverloo, 1922–2010) was a Dutch painter, printmaker, and poet, renowned for his vibrant, imaginative works that blended abstraction, figuration, and symbolism. A co-founder of the CoBrA movement (1948–1951), Corneille played a central role in reshaping post-war European art, emphasizing spontaneity, experimentation, and a return to primal creativity.

Born in Liège, Belgium, Corneille grew up in the Netherlands and studied at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam. Initially influenced by Cubism and Surrealism, his style evolved dramatically after co-founding CoBrA, alongside artists like Karel Appel and Asger Jorn. The movement, named after Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam, sought to break free from academic traditions, focusing on childlike expression, mythology, and folk art. Corneille’s early CoBrA works are marked by raw, gestural brushwork and a vivid palette.

In the 1950s, his style matured into a more lyrical, symbolic language. Inspired by travels in Africa, the Caribbean, and South America, he incorporated motifs of birds, women, and lush landscapes into his art, creating dreamlike compositions filled with vitality and optimism. Corneille’s work celebrated the joy of life, often exploring themes of nature, love, and imagination.

Corneille exhibited widely during his career, including at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the Guggenheim in New York. His art is held in major collections worldwide, and he remained active into his later years. As a pioneer of expressive modernism, Corneille’s fusion of vibrant imagery and emotional depth has left an enduring legacy in contemporary art.