Maurice Wyckaert (1923° – 1996†) belonged to the top of the Belgian modern painters. He was a neo-expressionistic, lyrical abstract painter and printmaker. He debuted with wonderful expressionistic still life, reminiscent of Jean Brusselmans. Much early work dealt with stills of vegetables. Later Wyckaert became interested by William Turner and James Ensor and their ideas of luminism.
In 1955 Wyckaert started to lyrically abstract interpret his environment, which contained noticeable influences of Eastern calligraphy. From this, he evolved to a dynamic abstract combination of attractive colors, which harmoniously shape a free interpretation of landscape. Although Wyckaert was already critically acclaimed, by receiving several honors such as the Jules Raeymaekers of the Royal Academy Award, an honorable mention by JPB (1957) and an honorable mention by Sao Paulo Art Biennial (1961), his true breakthrough began at the beginning of the 1970s. Around this time he started experimenting with gouache, printmaking and lithography.
Wyckaert was known for his pro-active involvement in several art movements such as being the Co-founder of Belgian art magazine De Meridiaan and Taptoe Brussels (1955). He was also known for his influence and intimate friendship with several CoBrA-members.
