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In Le Rossignol (1988), Corneille's colorful and imaginative visual world unfolds.
This original color lithograph is part of a series of four compositions inspired by The Nightingale, the famous fairy tale by the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen. In the work, we immediately recognize Corneille's characteristic visual language: an exuberant color palette, playful organic forms, and an almost childlike uninhibitedness. The bird, one of the most beloved and recurring motifs in his oeuvre, occupies a central place amidst a lush, exotic-looking world of flowers. For Corneille, the bird is more than a motif: it becomes a symbol of freedom, joie de vivre, and imagination. Nature does not appear as we know it, but is recreated into a poetic universe in which color and form follow their own laws. The bright color contrasts and the rhythmic composition give the work a remarkable liveliness. It is precisely this spontaneous, intuitive way of working that connects Corneille with the original spirit of CoBrA: art as an uninhibited expression of fantasy, emotion, and human creativity. Moreover, the reference to Andersen's fairy tale lends the lithograph a special narrative dimension. Just as the nightingale in the fairy tale embodies the power of living, natural beauty, so Corneille celebrates the freedom of imagination in the face of the limitations of reality. In doing so, Le Rossignol unites various essential elements of Corneille’s artistry: his love for birds and nature, his intense use of color, his poetic sensitivity, and his enduring fidelity to the spirit of CoBrA.
The work was recently professionally framed in black-stained oak with special attention to aesthetics and conservation. The framing features an acid-free mat and acid-free backing board, and is fitted with Tru Vue UltraVue UV92, high-quality anti-reflective, extra-clear, and low-iron glass.
Work can be picked up by appointment in Deurne (Antwerp) or during office hours in Sint-Agatha-Berchem (Brussels).