Pierre Soulages
Born – Aveyron, France 1919
Pierre Soulages was mainly self-taught. His diverse, seminal influence included prehistoric and medieval art, Romanticism and van Gogh. His mature style developed on his return to Paris after military service in the Second World War. His innovatory, abstract work established him at one of the leading members of the post-war School of Paris. Soulages worked in the direction of what has become known as “physic improvisation”. His expressive, intense and dynamic paintings are disciplined through the intersection of dark, heavy bars or bands. On to this monumental scaffolding Soulages applies contrasting strokes from an unchanging, almost monochromatic, palette of black, grey, ochre and white. As a result, his sculptural paintings, such as Painting 23 May 1953, have a depth and illumination that is enhanced by the freedom and vitality of his brushstrokes. He was one of a number of European painters whose work was defined in 1952 by the team Art Informal. This was as an acknowledgment of the movement toward spontaneous abstract painting that took place in the 1940s and 1950s. Soulages also worked as a theatrical designer. In 1959, he travelled to Japan. He continues to live and work in Paris.
Masterpieces:
- Painting 1953
- Painting 1956
Text: The A-Z of Art, Nicola Hodge and Libby Anson.
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