Fons Bemelmans
Maastricht, 8 januari 1938
Fons Bemelmans was born on January 8, 1938, in Maastricht. He developed an interest in the visual arts at a young age, which led him to begin training as a goldsmith at the City Academy of Applied Arts in Maastricht in 1955. In 1958, he won the St. Lucas Prize there, an early recognition of his talent. Between 1960 and 1962, he continued his studies in Cologne with Professor Ludwig Gies at the Kölner Werkschulen. He then traveled to Milan, where he completed his training under Luciano Minguzzi at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, until around 1963.
Bemelmans' artistic work spans multiple disciplines: sculpture, painting, graphic art, goldsmithing, and medal design. His work is predominantly figurative and recognizable by its flowing, organic lines and a personal, balanced design. His style often has a classical slant: human or animal figures, often in bronze. His themes include strength, balance, movement, harmony, and spirituality, often with allusions to mythological or universal values.
In 1999, Fons Bemelmans was appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau in recognition of his long-standing contribution to Dutch sculpture.
Exhibitions and Museums
Over the years, Fons Bemelmans has presented his work at leading art fairs, in museums, and in public spaces.
His bronze sculptures were exhibited at TEFAF Maastricht and PAN Amsterdam, attracting the attention of both private collectors and museums. His work was also represented at international art fairs in Belgium and Germany.
In 2013, Museum Valkenburg dedicated a comprehensive retrospective to his oeuvre, bringing together over five decades of artistic work. His work has also been on display at Museum Beelden aan Zee (Scheveningen), Museum De Buitenplaats (Eelde), and various Limburg institutions dedicated to contemporary sculpture.
Besides his museum presentations, Bemelmans has created numerous sculptures for public spaces. His monumental works can be found in Maastricht, Venlo, Roermond, Heerlen, and Utrecht, Soest, Terneuzen, Zwolle among other locations.
Bemelmans' artistic work spans multiple disciplines: sculpture, painting, graphic art, goldsmithing, and medal design. His work is predominantly figurative and recognizable by its flowing, organic lines and a personal, balanced design. His style often has a classical slant: human or animal figures, often in bronze. His themes include strength, balance, movement, harmony, and spirituality, often with allusions to mythological or universal values.
In 1999, Fons Bemelmans was appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau in recognition of his long-standing contribution to Dutch sculpture.
Exhibitions and Museums
Over the years, Fons Bemelmans has presented his work at leading art fairs, in museums, and in public spaces.
His bronze sculptures were exhibited at TEFAF Maastricht and PAN Amsterdam, attracting the attention of both private collectors and museums. His work was also represented at international art fairs in Belgium and Germany.
In 2013, Museum Valkenburg dedicated a comprehensive retrospective to his oeuvre, bringing together over five decades of artistic work. His work has also been on display at Museum Beelden aan Zee (Scheveningen), Museum De Buitenplaats (Eelde), and various Limburg institutions dedicated to contemporary sculpture.
Besides his museum presentations, Bemelmans has created numerous sculptures for public spaces. His monumental works can be found in Maastricht, Venlo, Roermond, Heerlen, and Utrecht, Soest, Terneuzen, Zwolle among other locations.
