Olivier Strebelle was a figurehead of post-war Belgian modernism. Born into a vibrant Brussels artistic dynasty, his formal training began at just fifteen, fostering a lifelong commitment to sculpture. By 1949, Strebelle co-founded the legendary Ateliers du Marais in Brussels alongside Pierre Alechinsky and Reinhoud. This collaborative haven served as an incubator for the radical, avant-garde CoBrA movement, which championed total creative spontaneity and organic expression.

Les Hommes Au Soleil II captures this period of Strebelle’s career. Created in 1959, the sculpture bridges the raw expression of CoBrA with a highly sophisticated understanding of his materials. Blending abstract forms with representations of human figures and the natural world, this work exemplifies Strebelle’s fluid and playful approach to making sculpture.

Strebelle’s early brilliance earned him international acclaim, leading to prestigious professorships worldwide by his twenties and earned him the nickname of ‘Belgian Picasso’ in 2001. Today, his monumental public sculptures animate major cities across Europe, Asia, and the United States. This rare work exemplifies the tactile energy and mid-century dynamism that established Strebelle as a vital force in international twentieth-century sculpture.