Corneille, Woman and Bird, 2001, Gouache, 105 x 85 cm. Hand-signed

A rare gouache by Corneille. The special thing about this work is that Corneille created it for a charity auction, namely for the young people living on the streets of Hungary. After his trip to Hungary, he felt connected to this country and wanted to help. Also, Corneille himself chose the frame which was very rare for his work.

Corneille was at the cradle of Cobra. After the group broke up, Cobra remained important to him, which is especially evident in its childlike imagery. In 1947 he comes into contact with surrealist art and literature. Surrealism unleashes a new freedom of imagination in Corneille.

A trip to Cuba, South America and Mexico in the mid-1960s marks the end of his somber and abstract canvases. Corneille has no explanation for this: "It just happened." Color and movement returned to his work, making it much more joyful, influenced by the art of indigenous tribes. His work became figurative and he used motifs such as women, trees and birds.

Corneille does not make sketches or plans before starting a painting. "I start simple and the subject doesn't matter much. It's about the intensity."