Adembenemend Rood (1999)
by Merel Van Beeumen

Title and Medium

Adembenemend Rood (literally “Breathtaking Red”), lithograph created in 1999.

Support and Edition

Work on paper, dimensions without margins: 41 × 41 cm; with margins: 57 × 47 cm.
Signed in pencil by the artist and numbered E/A (épreuve d’artiste / artist’s proof).

Style and Composition

The composition is built on large expanses of color. Intense red dominates the lower part of the image, evoking a vibrant, almost incandescent surface. In contrast, the upper section opens onto tones of blue and green, creating visual tension and atmospheric depth.

Atmosphere

The work conveys emotional intensity rather than figurative representation. The strength of the colors invites an inner, almost meditative reading, drawing the viewer into its chromatic energy.

Biography of Merel Van Beeumen (MEREL)

Name and Origin

Merel Van Beeumen, known by her artist name MEREL, is a Belgian artist born in Antwerp in 1954.

Education and Academic Career

She studied decorative arts and graphic design at the Sint-Lucas Institute in Antwerp. She later taught at the Academy of Hove and collaborated with the Academy of Borsbeek during the 1980s.

Inspiration and Artistic Approach

MEREL draws inspiration from gardens, interiors, and her immediate surroundings. Her work explores light, color, and the balance between reality and inner perception. Rather than faithful representation, her art seeks to convey a sensitive experience, often infused with symbolic motifs or poetic and playful touches.

Creative Philosophy

For her, creating is a vital necessity, as essential as the singing of birds. Her process is born from a positive impulse, guided by the joy of painting and a fascination with the world. She works with various media — paper, canvas, pencils, acrylic and oil paint — each offering a new field of sensory exploration.

Recognition

Her work has been acquired by the Belgian State and the Royal Museum for Central Africa. She is also referenced in several publications dedicated to Belgian artists.