Karel Colnot - Bergense school - large oil on canvas "still life on garden table" signed

• Beautiful and large expressionist oil on canvas painting, painted in 1970 by the (late bloom) Bergen school painter Karel Colnot (1921-1996). Signature and dated lower left (remains). The painting and frame are in good condition.

Karel Marinus Hendrikus Colnot, was born in 1921 in Bergen. He worked mainly here and in Amsterdam. He was the son of Arnout Colnot and he educated himself. Karel Colnot painted, watercolored and drew portraits, landscapes and still lifes in the style of the Bergen School.
It is striking that his father Arnout always fiercely opposed his son's intention to become a painter. Karel nevertheless remained relentless in his determination and soon tasted the pleasure that his father came to recognize his talent. It certainly testified to Karel Colnot's tenacity that, despite the lack of cooperation, he held on to the calling he felt.
In 1946 it was the painter Otto de Kat who first wrote that Karel Colnot, the son of the famous Arnout, could grow into a meritorious painter. When you asked Karel Colnot about his development as a painter he always grumbled somewhat modestly; "Oh, you know how it goes. You're painting a bit and then Dirk Klomp comes along and asks "does your father ever look at it?" After that the same Dirk Klomp went to my father and said to him: "Say Nout, you should take care of your son.
A famous father does not necessarily have to be a didactic and is by no means always a guarantee for a solid education at home. Karel Colnot paid little attention to his father's reputation. Karel followed his own path, which in terms of choice of subject matter was in line with the Bergen School tradition, but in terms of execution was much freer in conception. Self-willed as he was, Karel painted together with his father once. Within a short time they were hitting each other over the head with the pallet.
The subjects that Karel Colnot chose are classical and related to the themes of the Bergen School painters: landscapes and still lifes, very traditional. The tone is French and for a Dutch painter remarkably light and sunny. In his early years he made many charcoal drawings, just like his father, Leo Gestel and Mommie Schwartz. Only he did not work with his thumbs. He never wiped. With Karel the planes remained very clearly on their own.
Around 1960 Karel Colnot completely broke away from the Bergen School. No big strokes, no heavy contours, but brushwork ending in quick touches, which he himself described as “short jerks”. In his last years Karel worked very Cezanne-esque, with light beautiful tones, with depth and freedom
Karel Colnot was the epitome of sobriety and never made a big deal about his artistry. His way of working was more from a reasoned and calmly built up craftsmanship than related to emotional lubrication. Painting, he stated, is a craft, like any other craft.
Karel Colnot belonged to a group of young Bergen painters, including Jaap Sax, Dirk Breed, Jaap Min and Cees Boendermaker, who profited from the achievements of their predecessors. For many of them this meant a starting point for further autonomous development.
(source: Metzemaekers)