Biography

RENÉ DESSAINTE

Sophistocated Naive

Mr. Dessainte resides in his native Belgium where he maintains his primary studio. When asked to describe his work, René refers to his style as “sophisticated naive”. Mr. Dessainte’s art has been collected and exhibited publicly and privately throughout the world, and his career successes have been significant, and his curriculum vitae boasts endless distinctions and awards.

His work is perhaps best described by a European art critic who said, “Just look at the signature on the painting, you will find a little star above the ‘i’. Here, in this punctuation, the whole secret is revealed, René Dessainte is a painter, creating tender stars out of daily life.”

In his work, viewers can’t help but feel the emotion and presence of his characters. Jet black, ultramarine blue and emerald green sparkling eyes adorn the portraits. These signature eyes fit into the contours of each unique face composed of pastel colors nearly faded out.

René Dessainte captures the essence of each and every human being he paints. The portraits are alive and confident, sometimes depicted in the company of a family or friends, and sometimes alone in a real or invented environment where he feels they are most comfortable or appropriate.

Each character is completely at peace with himself/herself. It is as if you can sense their thoughts, feel them stare, and hear them speak--and know how genuinely they say, ‘I am’.

Dessainte employs a symphony of color that is a significant, but discreet, asset in his work. The formal elements and surfaces of joyful, blazing, direct yellow, green, orange, and blue high tones float above the melody of a rather severe, more strictly bowed color tones of his background and figures.

The single greatest quality in the René Dessaintes work is that you will see in one portrait firmness and dignity, another joy and love, and another fine humor and sparkles of melancholy. It is this diversity that reflects René’s true appreciation of each as he/she is.

Gallerie Je Reviens is the exclusive representative for Mr. Dessainte in The United States. We are proud and privileged to exhibit the fine art of René Dessainte for your pleasure and appreciation.