Belgian art on paper in a European perspective. 1918-1950 (BePAPER)

This project aims to study, disclose and promote Belgian avant-garde 'work on paper' (under which we understand autographic, unique artworks using paper as basic material, such as drawings, water colours, collages, and paper assemblages) between 1918-1950. The project builds on the collection of 'work on paper modern art' of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. For the period ca. 1918 to 1950 the collection houses 2400 individual sheets and sketchbooks, half of which were created by Belgian avant-garde artists. These artists include the Futurist Jules Schmalzigaug, the Expressionists Frits Van den Berghe, Joseph Cantré, Gustave De Smet, Constant Permeke, the Constructivists Jozef Peeters, Karel Maes, Felix De Boeck, Victor Servranckx, Edmond van Dooren and Pierre-Louis Flouquet, the Surrealists Paul Delvaux, René Margritte, E.L.T. Mesens as well as the Dadaist Paul Joostens. By disclosing and building on the collection 'works and paper modern art' of RMFAB this project will be the first to provide an overview and a comprehensive study of the field of Belgian avant-garde works on paper within an international context. It will thereby contribute significantly to a better definition of the collection category of 'modern works on paper' or graphic art within European art history between the years 1918 to 1950, that is, up and until the dawn of CoBrA and the rise of the so-called neo-avant-gardes. Which will allow us to bring into the limelight possibly late appropriation tendencies within the Belgian avant-gardes and the emergence of trends already pointing ahead to the neo-avant-gardes.The project has three main objectives. First, we aim to study why and how this wide variety of Belgian classic avant-garde artists turned to paper during te interwar period. Second, we aim to better disclose the unique RMFAB collection of works on paper through the findings gained within the study and through the development of open data solutions. Third, we aim to promote the results of the project and the collection of the RMFAB through a database and internet-platform (scientific and student audience), a (travelling) exhibition and the publication of a catalogue (wider audience) as well as through a lecture series (student audience).