Rachel Baes (1912-1983), Painter, Belgian Surrealist School

Rachel Baes was born in Ixelles (Brussels) in 1912 and died in Bruges in 1983. She is the daughter of the painter Émile Baes and began painting at a very young age. She exhibited, at the age of 17, at the Salon des Indépendants in Paris in 1929. In 1945, she met Paul Eluard in the French capital where he prefaced her first solo exhibition focused on surrealism. René Magritte painted her portrait in 1947 under the title "Sherazade". She regularly met Picasso, Cocteau and Paul Léautaud with whom she published their interviews in 1951. In recent years, experts and collectors have become aware that she is, with Jane Graverol, one of the great figures of surrealism in Belgium and their values continue to progress on the art market, which is only fair. I present to you a very beautiful work that can be dated to the end of the fifties. This is a mixed technique (watercolor, gouache, etc.) on paper. It is signed. It is immediately apparent that this work is very accomplished and very representative of her very characteristic universe. Many motifs from her work are included, such as the subject of the young girl, the stylized rose, the long dress, the egg. The colors are very refined and have retained their original brilliance. This work is in perfect condition. It has been provided with a new wooden frame, patinated with silver and fitted with a museum-type glass without reflection. Here is a work of rare quality on paper (often much less accomplished), reflecting the characteristics of the artist's work and perfectly framed. A purchase for a connoisseur whose value will probably continue to increase in light of Rachel Baes' results on the art market over the last twenty years.