Jean-Pierre Dequene

1905-1954

Jean-Pierre Dequene was born May 20, 1905 in Mons, Belgium. He studied with Émile Motte, A. Duriau and C. Caty at l’Académie des Beaux-Arts de Mons and was a student at the Atelier of M. Gillis

Dequene painted portraits, nudes and still lifes and worked as an illustrator and muralist as well, signing his work “P. Dequène.”

Dequene’s style is typical of other Belgian modernists, specifically the Belgian Expressionists. Early on he was influenced by cubism. His works are highly detailed and exhibit some elements of Surrealism. Dequene’s style of painting is strong with the feel of being slightly purified or hieratic, especially his nudes, which show a certain element of Mannerism.

Dequene took interest in social issues of the day, and in the murals he executed for the Université du Travail in Charleroi and at the Office du Travail in Liège, he glorifies workers and the working-class people.

Dequene was a member of the group “Les Loups” (The wolves) and exhibited in Paris at the Salon d’Automne and Salon des Artistes Indépendants. He was awarded the Prix du Hainaut in 1926.

Dequène is represented in museum collections in Brussels, Mons and Tournai. He died in 1954 in Saint-Gilles.