Francine Van Hove (book)

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Van Hove (book) by Francois Swaen. 2005, 23 x 29 cm. illustrated dust jacket, 144 pages. In very good condition, like new for the interior, some traces on the cover, protected by a plastic cover. In French and English.

“In his attempt to fix a moment of the perfection of earthly bodies we perceive ancient pagan accents” Alain Blondel, extract from his preface. 98 paintings, studies and black stones on kraft reproduced in color. With five texts by the artist: Jardin du Luxembourg, Dormeuses, Tableaux de bouche, Reflets and Chez soi. A long interview conducted by François Swaen.

Francine Van Hove is a designer and painter of young women. Preparatory drawing sessions allow the painter to check its naturalness as well as its originality and graphic and sculptural qualities. His figurative nude paintings and drawings are windows into a realistic, natural and gentle daily life.

Beneath their apparent simplicity, these everyday scenes retain an element of mystery. Sheltered, unconscious or careless of their own beauty, they indulge in pleasant laziness or indulge in motionless pleasures. Sometimes pensive, sometimes melancholic, they defend access to their interiority and remain to a certain extent elusive. His work reflects a feeling of incommunicability and saving solitude, like a deliberately chosen retreat from the hustle and bustle of the world.

Influenced by Greek statuary, the Italian Renaissance and Flemish painting, Francine Van Hove seeks to perpetuate the classical tradition of painting: her refined work provides a feeling of wonder, diffused by the precision of the play of light, the rendering of the material and richness of details. The bodies, expertly modeled, impose a dreamy harmony through the perfection of their confident gestures.

Feel free to check out the additional photos at the top left, thank you!

If you prefer to pay in EUR, you must click on the orange “French” option under the main photo above, which will redirect you to the text in French and the payment in €.