Dotremont, Christian | Liberté de figures 1, 1976 — available on Composition Gallery

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// Christian Dotremont's Liberté de figures 1 (1976) is a lithograph measuring 24 x 18 cm, showcasing his signature style of abstract calligraphy. The artwork features dynamic, sweeping black brushstrokes that form intricate, abstract shapes against a white background. Dotremont's expressive lines suggest movement and rhythm, creating a visual poetry that feels spontaneous and organic. The forms evoke a sense of freedom and flow, resonating with the title, which translates to Freedom of Figures. The work embodies the spirit of the CoBrA movement, emphasizing expressive freedom and the integration of text as an artistic form.

Christian Dotremont (Belgium, 1922–1979) was a poet, painter, and founding member of the CoBrA movement. Known for his innovative logograms—poetic visual works combining calligraphy and abstract art—Dotremont explored the interplay between text and image. His contributions to post-war European art and literature remain highly influential.

Christian Dotremont

Liberté de figures 1, 1976

Name: Liberté de figures 1, 1976
SKU: 11500

Form

Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition PrintA limited edition print is one of a number of prints made at the same time from one printmaking plate. A fixed number are made and signed by the artist, indicating the printing order, using the format 1/10, meaning first of ten prints.

Medium

Lithograph

Lithograph Lithography is a printing method based on the principle that water and oil do not mix. It can be used to print artwork or text onto paper or other suitable materials. Traditionally, an image was drawn with wax, fat, or oil onto a lithographic limestone surface or plate. Today, metal plates and other surfaces are also used in lithographic printing.

Edition

Edition of 80 (LXXX)

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Christian Dotremont

Liberté de figures 1, 1976

Limited Edition Print

Lithograph

Currently Not Available

Christian Dotremont

A la clé qui ouvre…, 1978

Limited Edition Print

Lithograph

Currently Not Available

No sold works to show.

True poetry is when writing has its say.
- Christian Dotremont

A founding member of both CoBrA (alongside fellow artist, Asger Jorn) and the Revolutionary Surrealist Group, Christian Dotremont found critical acclaim in the art world, mainly for his painted poems that he dubbed ‘logograms’ - an exploration into the power of expression through language, both interpretive and visual. In the early 1940’s, Dotremont collaborated with Pablo Picasso, Paul Eluard and Alberto Giacometti to participate in their La Main a La Plume group - an early interest in Belgian surrealism sparked his move into art, and his surrealist peers formed much of his early expression and outputs, before he eventually moved into his famous textual art, retaining the surrealism that he so keenly admired.

Artwork by Karel Appel

What is the CoBrA movement?

CoBrA stands for Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam; the group was formed with a desire to break away from the existing art movements of the time. Their critique of Western society led them to experiment and evolve into a significant international movement. CoBrA was founded on November 8, 1948, at the Notre Dame Café in Paris, where its manifesto was signed by Karel Appel, Joseph Noiret, Corneille, Christian Dotremont, Constant, and Asger Jorn. The group was united by a shared commitment to freedom in both form and color, and their work emphasized experimentation and spontaneity.

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Christian Dotremont

Liberté de figures 1, 1976

61 x 45.7 cm

Language & Currency

Christian Dotremont