"Autumn Still Life with Grapes on a Silver Platter"
Material: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 50 x 70 cm
Frame: Yes
Ernest Castelein (1881-1945) was a Belgian painter, although not as well known as some of his contemporaries. He was primarily associated with the Brussels art scene, and his works are often noted for their bright colour palettes, figurative styles, and interest in the interplay of light and form. Castelein was deeply influenced by Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, which were popular in his time. He may also have been influenced by the Symbolist and Art Nouveau movements, which were prominent in Belgium in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Castelein's career encompassed a wide range of works, from landscapes to portraits, and he often worked in oils and watercolours. His style evolved throughout his life, but his emphasis on light, texture, and the natural world remained constant. His work also includes depictions of the human figure and elements of everyday life, all painted with a sensitivity to color and atmosphere. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, an important institution for many Belgian artists at the time, and was part of the Belgian artistic community that was exploring new ways of expressing reality, particularly in the aftermath of the First World War.