Le Belem, 2021

Alain Abramatic  

In Le Belem, Alain pays tribute to the famous three-masted ship, depicting it braving a powerful swell. Rising against the waves, the vessel seems to climb the water in a heroic surge, throwing up large sprays of foam that heighten the dramatic tension of the scene.

The composition highlights the majestic verticality of the rigging, contrasting with the broad, curving movement of the sea. This opposition structures the space, translating the confrontation between the ship's architectural rigor and the unpredictable energy of the elements. The sails, crafted from paper collage, reveal a subtly pleated texture that catches the light and suggests the living matter of canvas taut in the wind. The oil paint, applied in transparent layers, allows these reliefs to show through, lending a luminous vibration to the whole. Sand, integrated through graphic and abstract gestures, reinforces the sensation of the swell and marine power.

Through this work, Alain celebrates both the timeless elegance of the Belem and the poetic force of the sea, using a contemporary style where matter becomes movement and emotion.