KABUKI (RED) 1953 Oil on hardboard 33,5 x 25,5 cm

The title of André Evard’s work refers to the Japanese dance theatre of the Edo period (1603-1868). The artist illustrates this reference by using the traditional Japanese colours red, black and gold. Two golden rectangles are shown, which are placed on a red background in the composition in such a way that they run in opposite diagonal directions and break with the strictly horizontal and vertical black lines. This lends the painting dynamics and illustrates the theme of dance in addition to the title of the painting.

Charles L’Eplattenier, André Evard’s former teacher, collected Asian woodcuts and Japanese bronzes. Evard was also enthusiastic about Far Eastern art objects and began to collect them himself. His treasures included woodcuts, wood sculptures, Indian cloths, Persian carpets, Japanese masks and much more.