Evelyne Axell: A Brief Biography

Evelyne Axell was a Belgium Pop painter known for her erotic self-portraits, and female nudes. Evelyne’s work was often done on plexiglass, and featured psychedelic themes popular during the Pop era of the ’60s. She also included other themes, including the Vietnam War, the sexual liberation of women, and the Black Panthers movement. She was one of the few European Pop artists of her time.

Evelyne Axell was born on August 16, 1935, in Namur, Belgium. She was the daughter of Mariette Godu, and André Devaux (a well-known silverware and jewelry artist). Her family were devout Catholics. Evelyne had been considered a beautiful child — even being declared ‘The Province of Namur’s most beautiful baby’, when she was just two years old. Throughout her life, Evelyne was still often remembered for her beauty, which she incorporated into her art, painting many self-portraits over her artistic career.

In 1940, Evelyne’s home, and her family’s business were both destroyed after the RAF (Royal Air Force) dropped a bomb on the area. They had missed their mark, trying to take out a nearby bridge. As a young child, Evelyne was affected by the damage caused in Europe during WWII, as she had been quite young when she’d experienced such loss. Her family ended up going to stay at their summer home in Wepion.