pierre
soulages

1919 – 2022

“Black ink was always my favorite. I loved it. And then one day I realized that the only thing I ever wanted to do was to paint.”

Bio

Born in Rodez, France, Pierre Soulages was deeply influenced by Celtic carvings and local architecture. After studying briefly at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he returned to Rodez dissatisfied with traditional teaching. Post-World War II, Soulages embraced abstract painting, focusing on black brushstrokes layered over light backgrounds, distinguishing himself from the color-focused French abstract painters. His carefully balanced, formal compositions set him apart from American Abstract Expressionists despite superficial similarities. He exhibited widely from his first solo show in Paris in 1949 and often simply titled his works “Painting.”

Black and White Portrait of artist Pierre Soulages

Pierre Soulages
Lithographieno.36

26.38” x 20.5"
Original lithograph printed in three colors on Arches wove paper

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Theophile-Alexandre Steinlen