Characterised by his highly stylised and captivatingly repetitive works, Ships and Blue Lilies is an exemplary painting by the young, Belgian artist, Laurens Legiers. Conveying a certain timelessness and delicateness, his practice takes inspiration from the atmospheric sensibilities of the 18th Century Romantic period. Often featuring nautical motifs rather than depicting human figures in his canvases, the artist zeroes in on moments of serene clarity. When observed within close proximity, his works have the ability to transport viewers into a dreamlike state of consciousness.
Detail of the present lot
The present work depicts a recurring pattern of Legier’s signature vessels sailing across a reflective body of water, and two prominent lilies in full bloom located in the foreground. The motifs are rendered in a way that appears soft yet seemingly graphic. The artist has the unique ability in capturing light as well as the soft and smooth edges of his subjects. To achieve this result, Legiers utilises his restricted palette of subdued hues and implements his signature painting technique of dabbing accumulated layers of oil paint onto his canvas to create a sense of complexity and depth. Legier’s skilful approach to painting reveals no traces of brushstrokes or imprints that would suggest viewers to think of him physically creating these works. When analysing the artist’s works, it is interesting to note that he selflessly removes himself from his own compositions.
Born 1994 in Belgium, Legiers earned his bachelor’s degree from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp in 2018. Earlier this year, the artist was honoured with his first solo exhibition in the United States titled if only at Nicodim Gallery, in which Ships and Blue Lilies was featured. Legiers work has also been exhibited at multiple shows such as Dusk till Dawn (2022), PLUS-ONE Gallery, Antwerp; Walking, running, falling (2022), L21 Gallery, Mallorca; A Veil of Thoughts (2021), Gallery Vacancy, Shanghai; and Nature Morte (2021), The Hole, New York.
Installation view of the artist’s solo exhibition if only at Nicodim Gallery, New York
Artwork: Courtesy of the artist and Nicodim, Image: Shark Sensac
Provenance
Nicodim Gallery, New York Acquired from the above by the present owner
Exhibited
New York, Nicodim Gallery, Laurens Legiers: if only, 16 March - 29 April 2023
signed, titled and dated '"SHIPS AND BLUE LILIES" LEGIERS 2022' on the reverse oil on canvas, in artist's frame work 160.1 x 130 cm. (63 x 51 1/8 in.) frame 162.1 x 132.1 cm. (63 7/8 x 52 in.) Painted in 2022.