Given the existence of many people with the same name, I think it is important to review the history of the signatures of the painter Antoine Mortier, born in Saint-Gilles (Brussels), on October 2, 1908, and who died in Auderghem (Brussels) on January 26, 1999, and who had only one first name, “Antoine.” The signature, in its various forms over time, illustrates and attests to my father’s artistic journey. The unintended association of his first name will unequivocally refer to the work of the Antwerp artist.
As for the other namesakes across all generations, their stylistic characteristics alone are enough to distinguish them when compared carefully.
“Antoine Mortier” is the artist’s earliest signature; it identifies his early work and appears on paintings and works on paper created between 1928 and 1940.
“Ant.Mortier” and/or“AntMortier” first appeared around 1940, while he was singing at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie; encouraged by its director, Corneil de Thoran, the chorus singer began to assert his artistic identity. “AntMortier” or “Ant.Mortier” dates both the oil paintings and the ink drawings to approximately 1955.
Nevertheless, only “Mortier ” appears in the large wash drawings from the early 1950s.
His participation in the Salon de la Réalité in Paris in 1951, his solo exhibitions at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in 1949, 1952, 1955, and his use of a superb studio from 1953 to 1956 in Baroness Lambert’s mansion all affirm his style, his personality, and his signature; he used it on both the front and back of his works until his death. It is also worth noting that the “AM” monogram is timeless and that he signed all of his works with it—whether in oil, ink, or sculpture—from the beginning of his career until his death.
Pay close attention: Antoine Mortier signs discreetly within the main image on the front and consistently on the back, where he sometimes adds the title and date.
Additional note: Around the 1970s, Antoine Mortier created a studio seal inspired by the Roman signet ring he had always dreamed of. He rarely used this seal during his lifetime and intended it primarily for my use.