Paul Mariën (1932)- The attributes of the engraver

Paul Mariën (1932)
The attributes of the engraver
Oil on canvas mounted on panel, signed lower right
30 x 40 cm
In Les Attributs du Graveur, Paul Marien pays homage to the traditional tools and symbols of the engraver’s craft. Executed in a finely detailed, almost trompe-l’œil style, this still life presents an elegant arrangement of instruments associated with precision and artistry: brass compasses, a magnifying glass, styluses, medals, and a red-and-blue case that holds these emblematic objects. The golden medallion depicting an architectural relief and the classical profile evoke the historical depth and intellectual legacy of engraving as both technical skill and fine art. The prominently placed letter “D” may allude to design or drawing, reinforcing the theme. Marien's mastery of texture, material, and composition underscores his fascination with the intersection of craftsmanship and visual harmony.

Paul Märien?Born in Ixelles, 1932.?Studied from 1950 to 1956 at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels (under Devos and De Vlamynck) and at the Etterbeek Academy (fresco with Phillipot).?He was a teacher at the Municipal Academy in Leuven.
Awards:
1956: Mastery Prize from the City of Brussels
1956: Second Prize, "Art Réaliste", Brussels
1968: Prize of the City of Leuven