Peinture criminelle 4-56 en 5-56 - Armando

A raw, textured abstract work by Dutch artist Armando, featuring heavy impasto and an earthy palette characteristic of the 1950s Informel movement.

Armando, born Herman Dirk van Dodeweerd, was a Dutch artist whose work often grappled with the weight of history and the physical reality of materials. This piece, dating from 1956, belongs to his early period, a time when he was deeply involved with the Dutch Informel movement. The work displays a heavy, sculptural application of paint, where the medium itself becomes the subject. The surface is built up with thick, tactile layers of oil, creating a rugged topography that rejects traditional representation in favour of raw, emotive expression.

The palette is dominated by earthy tones: deep browns, ochres, and blacks, punctuated by sharp, aggressive streaks of red. These colours suggest a sense of decay or geological formation, reflecting the artist's interest in the aftermath of conflict and the passage of time. The application of paint is forceful, with visible brushwork and palette knife marks that convey a sense of urgency. The composition lacks a central focus, instead drawing the viewer into the texture of the canvas. By layering these dense pigments, Armando creates a physical presence that demands attention, moving away from the polished aesthetics of the era.

This work is a clear example of the Informel approach, where the process of painting is as important as the final result. The title, 'Peinture criminelle', hints at the artist's preoccupation with themes of guilt, violence, and the darker aspects of human nature. It is a stark, uncompromising piece that avoids decorative appeal, choosing instead to confront the viewer with the materiality of the paint. The work remains a significant example of post-war European abstraction, capturing the mood of a generation attempting to reconcile with a fractured past through the act of creation.