Wright Auction

Bram Bogart was a Dutch-Belgian painter celebrated for his contributions to Expressionism and his pioneering use of impasto. Born Abraham van den Boogaart in Delft, Netherlands in 1921, he initially trained as a house painter and commercial sign painter in Rotterdam before embarking on a self-guided study of fine arts. After World War II, Bogart moved to France, where his early works reflected the influences of Cubism and figuration, showcasing simplified forms of landscapes and still lifes. Over time, he transitioned to abstract compositions, experimenting with texture and color through thick applications of paint, which became a hallmark of his style.

In 1961, Bogart's work took a significant turn when he relocated to Belgium, where he began using heavy, textured layers of a unique paint mix that included mortar, chalk, and raw pigment. This allowed his paintings to transcend traditional two-dimensional boundaries, embodying a dense presence that blurred the line between painting and sculpture. His distinctive technique earned him an international reputation. Bogart represented Belgium at the Venice Biennale in 1970. His works from this era, like Linaabelina (1960), focus on minimal color palettes and explore the interplay of light, shadow, and form, creating a tactile depth and materiality.

In his later career, Bogart's compositions grew even more sculptural, with thick paint layers edging over canvas borders, creating continuous, immersive fields of color and texture. His bold experimentation persisted until his death in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, in 2012. Bogart's works are now held in major collections worldwide, including at the Tate London, the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. He is remembered for how he redefined the potential of paint as a material, emphasizing physicality and abstraction to expand the boundaries of contemporary art.