Lithograph by Guillaume Corneille: The red tree and the blue bird (2001)

Main works

Among his most famous works, we find Ciel Tropical (1971), which is emblematic of his colorful and expressive style. He also produced a series of prints and ceramics, especially after his initiation to engraving at Stanley William Hayter's Atelier 17. He is also known for his numerous works inspired by his travels to Africa, where he was influenced by the lushness of nature and the forms of African art.

Artistic movements

Guillaume Corneille is best known as one of the co-founders of the Cobra movement (acronym for Copenhagen, Brussels, Amsterdam), which he initiated in 1948 with Karel Appel, Constant Nieuwenhuis, and Asger Jorn, among others. This movement advocated for spontaneous and experimental art, opposing academic artistic conventions, and drawing inspiration from expressionism and naive art.

Inspiration, influence

Corneille was influenced by surrealism and expressionism. Among his major artistic influences are artists like Paul Klee and Joan Miró, whose works helped him develop a poetic and dreamlike visual language.

His contemporaries

Karel Appel, Asger Jorn, and Pierre Alechinsky. Their collaboration marked a turning point in modern art, emphasizing creative freedom.

To keep in mind

Guillaume Corneille was one of the founders of the Cobra movement, a European avant-garde artistic group. His works are characterized by an expressionist style and abundant use of bright colors, with recurring motifs such as women, birds, and elements of nature.
He was deeply influenced by Africa, whose art and landscapes greatly influenced his work.
He also left a legacy in ceramics and sculpture, notably through his exploration of new techniques such as aquagravure.
He is buried in Auvers-sur-Oise, near Vincent van Gogh, an artist whom he greatly admired.