Gustaaf Sorel
Gustaaf Sorel (17 January 1905, in Ostend – 14 May 1981, in Ostend) was a Belgian painter and draughtsman known for his representations of gloomy people and bleak street sights. Sorel depicted his folkish surroundings with loose and fluid line work of his own synthetic painting method. He underwent several figurative influences like expressionism, cubism and constructivism, but, mostly stubbornly pursued his own style.
Also recorded as Gustave Sorel
Gustaaf Sorel
Louis Sorel · Self-photographed · CC BY 3.0
- Name
- Gustaaf Sorel
- Born
- 17 January 1905
- Birthplace
- Ostend, Belgium
- Died
- 14 May 1981
- Awards
- Prijs van het Oostends Kursaal (1937), Prix Thorlet de l’Académie Française (1954), Silver medal of the city of Paris (1954)
- Nationality
- Belgium
- Occupation
- painter · artist
- Movements
- Expressionism
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Gustaaf Sorel (17 January 1905, in Ostend – 14 May 1981, in Ostend) was a Belgian painter and draughtsman known for his representations of gloomy people and bleak street sights. Sorel depicted his folkish surroundings with loose and fluid line work of his own synthetic painting method. He underwent several figurative influences like expressionism, cubism and constructivism, but, mostly stubbornly pursued his own style.
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Authority files
wikidata · Q355700 · wikipedia · Gustaaf Sorel
In this article
Biography
Biography
His city and street depictions with ashen facades radiate the oppressive sadness of the abandoned streets and empty stalls, of the city and her inhabitants. He had an obsession for a secretive, pressing silence, but even in those dark corners, there is no anxiety-inducing mood. Usually a soft light radiates from a window, door or gate. A play of the light by which the mood becomes more intense and gives rise to many contrasts.
"Staketsel", aquarel (20 x 30 cm) door de Belgische kunstschilder Gustaaf Sorel (1905-1981); privébezit
JoJan
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Gustaaf Sorel • Born — 17 January 1905 • Birthplace — Ostend, Belgium • Died — 14 May 1981 • Place of death — Ostend, Belgium • Awards — Prijs van het Oostends Kursaal (1937), Prix Thorlet de l’Académie Française (1954), Silver medal of the city of Paris (1954) • Style — Expressionism, Cubism, Constructivism
Gallery
Gallery
• Illustration — Panoramic Landscape, gouache on paper, c. 1936 • Illustration — Lady with blue hat, watercolour • Illustration — Seawall, India ink on paper, 1939 • Illustration — Death mask of Gustaaf Sorel by sculptor Irénée Duriez
Identity
Identity
Gustaaf Sorel is recorded with the occupation visual artist. Recorded as a citizen of Belgium.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1905
Gustaaf Sorel was born on 18 January 1905.
1981
Gustaaf Sorel died on 14 May 1981.
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Gustaaf Sorel”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q355700: Gustaaf Sorel
General reference · Wikidata
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witnessauthority record
General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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