Charles BELLE
Painter. France.
Charles Belle, an esteemed French painter, possesses an innate talent for magnifying the intricacies of nature on grand canvases.
Whether through strokes dripping with sensuality and vigor or depictions that echo a soulful and tender realism, Belle's artistry is a profound reflection of his distinctive vision. His works oscillate between deep, meditative darkness and a lyrical vibrancy that seems to dance on the canvas. Never one to be confined by labels, Belle has steadfastly carved his own artistic trajectory, resulting in an awe-inspiring body of work over a 40-year span.
His vast collection comprises nearly 10,000 masterful paintings and over 20,000 intricate drawings, each baptized with titles that evoke poetry and mystery. Hailing from the humble town of Rochejean where his father practiced the art of baking, the young Belle was drawn to the arts. He pursued his passion at the Institut Supérieur des Beaux-Arts (ISBA) in Besançon, securing his advanced degree in fine arts in 1979. His journey thereafter saw him capturing time as a photographer for the Besançon Museum of Time and molding young minds as a secondary-school art teacher. Belle later bestowed his expertise on students at the Haute École des Arts du Rhin (HEAR) in Mulhouse, teaching drawing until 1998.
Belle's early foray into art was characterized by grand drawings that captured the essence of local landscapes, personalities, and the mundane, like a pair of worn-out shoes. Despite his art being perceived as out of step with the popular trends of the late 1970s, Belle's dedication caught the discerning eyes of collectors and the revered Fonds National Art Contemporain.
Embracing his craft post-graduation, Belle faced skepticism and critique. In a defiant response, he took to painting, picking the unassuming geranium—a flower gracing countless French balconies—as his muse. This series, while serving more as an artistic exercise, showcased Belle's prowess and became immensely popular. Although flowers remain a recurrent theme, Belle's artistry knows no bounds, with each piece striving to capture the ethereal, the unseen that exists just beyond the canvas' edge.
Today, Charles Belle's masterpieces grace the prestigious halls of global contemporary art showcases like Art Basel, FIAC, and Art Paris. His exhibitions span from Paris to New York, and from the heart of Europe to Seoul and Beirut, enchanting art aficionados worldwide.
Selected Exhibitions:
2023 ▪ 20th Luxury and Creation Summit, InterContinental - Le Grand, Paris 9e
2022 - 2023 ▪ RETROSPECTIVE Charles Belle "to paint," Museum of Fine Arts and Time Museum, Besançon (25) Saline Royale, Arc-et-Senans (25) Courbet Museum and Courbet Atelier, Ornans (25) Pontarlier Museum (25) Belfort Museum (25)
Since 2022 ▪ Steven Naessens chef (2 Michelin stars) at the Château de Germigney, 5-star hotel-restaurant, Port-Lesney (39)
From 2017 to 2020 ▪ Cirque Plume “La Dernière Saison“ - world Tour
From 2017 to 2019 ▪ La Terrasse - Contemporary Art Center, La Conque, Nanterre (92), “sens figurés“
2012 ▪ Arts à la Pointe, Audierne (29), “ce geste...“
2011 & 2013 ▪ Eco-district and Charles Belle Residence. Mon Logis, Troyes (10)
2012 ▪ Puls’Art - International Event of Contemporary Art, Le Mans (72)
2010 ▪ Trévarez Castle - CDP29, Saint Goazec (29) [Regard d’Artiste] “Charles Belle“
2009 ▪ Courbet Museum, Flagey (25), “arbres divers“
2009 ▪ Cohue Museum, Vannes (56) “ce doux chemin silencieux“
2008 ▪ Grand-Cachot-de-Vent Foundation La Chaux-du-Milieu (Switzerland), “d’autres murmures“
2008 ▪ Bruno Mory Gallery, Besanceuil (71), “arbres d’hiver“
2007 ▪ Couvent des Cordeliers, Châteauroux (36), “Penche-toi“
2006 ▪ Grand Jardin Castle, Joinville (52) “fleurs et fruits, si affinités“
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