Marcel Delmotte – Fantasy Landscape (1966): Surrealist vision
Marcel Delmotte's Fantasy Landscape from 1966 is a striking example of the Belgian artist's surreal-symbolist phase.
In this oil painting on panel, Delmotte combines classic still-life motifs with a dreamlike landscape depiction to create a complex, multi-layered composition.
Lush fruit dominates the foreground—carefully arranged and masterfully modeled. This sensual depiction alludes to themes such as fertility and transience. Behind it, a fantastical scene unfolds: bizarrely shaped rocks, architectural fragments, and possible ruins create a mysterious pictorial depth with symbolic charge.
Typical of Delmotte's paintings of the 1960s is the combination of smooth color modulation and subtle texture. The muted color palette—earthy ochre tones, cool gray-blue nuances, and warm accents—creates an almost meditative, contemplative mood. The work poetically addresses the tension between nature and culture, life and decay – a central theme in Delmotte's oeuvre.
The painting "Fantasy Landscape" impressively reflects Delmotte's artistic style and his unique visual language and craftsmanship: a harmonious combination of technical finesse, symbolic depth, and surreal imagination.
For collectors and lovers of Belgian modernism, this work represents a special highlight in the portfolio of ART FLAGEY Kunsthandel Berlin.
About the artist:
Marcel Delmotte (1901–1984): Master of Belgian Symbolism and Surrealism
Marcel Delmotte (born 1901 in Charleroi – died 1984) was an important Belgian painter, draftsman, and sculptor. He received his artistic training at the Université du Travail, where he studied under Léon Van den Houten.
Initially working in a realistic style, from the 1950s onward Delmotte developed an unmistakable style that straddled symbolist imagery and surrealist composition.
His early works depict biblical and mythological scenes, inspired by Rubens, Ingres, and Gustave Moreau. From the mid-20th century onward, Delmotte increasingly turned to fantastical landscapes – multi-layered, with enigmatic ruins, monumental architecture, and still-life elements. These works reflect themes such as transience, dreams, and cultural history.
Delmotte regularly participated in prestigious exhibitions, including the Salon d'Art Libre in Paris (1952) as well as in Brussels, Charleroi, and Spa. He received numerous awards, including the Order of Leopold II (1939), the Richard Dupierreux Prize, and the Silver Medal for Belgian Painting. His works are found in public and private collections in Belgium, Germany, and France.
His works are found in public and private collections in Belgium, Germany, and France. Today, Marcel Delmotte is considered one of the most important representatives of Belgian modernism and is more sought after than ever on the international art market.
