Karel Appel - Zwarte Raven (Black Ravens)

1988

An expressive aquatint etching by celebrated Dutch CoBrA artist Karel Appel. The work exemplifies Appel’s bold, gestural approach to line and color, blending abstract expressionism with animal symbolism.

Hand-signed and dated in pencil by the artist in the lower right: Appel ‘88. 
Numbered H.C. (Hors Commerce) in pencil in the lower left, indicating it is one of just 15 prints outside the regular edition.  

This original aquatint etching is printed on thick, hand-crafted paper (Bütten), and features dynamic black forms interwoven with vivid cobalt blue, set against a soft blue background. The composition captures the wild movement and free spirit characteristic of Appel’s work.

The artwork is float-mounted on linen, in a custom-made, acid-free, white passe-partout in a bespoke wooden frame, handmade in the Netherlands with high-quality Plexiglas® Optical HC, for visual clarity and protects the delicate print.
Size framed approx. 100 x 80 cm 

Karel Appel (1921–2006) was a founding member of the CoBrA movement, known for his emotionally charged, childlike imagery and intuitive working method. His work is held in major international museums, including the Centre Pompidou, MoMA, and the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. This original aquatint etching is a rare and collectible example of Appel’s late graphic work, combining raw energy, gestural precision, and poetic symbolism.