Pierre Soulages, who lived from 1919 to 2022, remains one of the most iconic figures in abstract art. Known for his groundbreaking use of black in his art, Soulages developed a technique he described as “Beyond Black,” where he created works that reflected light and texture in innovative ways. His art continues to captivate and influence the art world long after his passing, and an upcoming exhibition at the Musée Soulages in Rodez offers a remarkable opportunity to experience the artist’s later works from 2010 to 2022.
An Artistic Legacy Spanning Decades
Soulages’ artistic career spanned an impressive range of disciplines, including theater design, engraving, ceramics, and illustration. His body of work, especially his later years, remains unrivaled in the art world. The exhibition titled Les Derniers Soulages: 2010-2022 at the Musée Soulages in Rodez focuses on the final phase of his career.
Newly Unveiled Works
Even in his later years, Soulages continued to create art, producing nearly 300 paintings in the last decade of his life. The exhibition will feature around 50 of these works, some of which have never been seen before. Many of the pieces were sourced from private collections and the artist’s studio, offering a rare glimpse into Soulages’ artistic process and final years.
Soulages’ Last Painting and Other Key Works
Pierre Soulages’ final painting, created on May 15, 2022, just months before his passing, will be a centerpiece of the exhibition. This poignant piece was completed on his terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, adding a personal and reflective touch to the exhibition. Additionally, six other late works, donated by the artist’s widow, will be showcased alongside five large-format vertical paintings that have never been publicly displayed before. The exhibition will be open until January 2024, giving visitors ample time to experience this extraordinary collection.
Pierre Soulages’ Continued Influence
Even after his death, Soulages continues to make headlines. A recent publication, Soulages, D’une Rive à l’Autre, offers an in-depth exploration of his life and art. Written by Michaël de Saint-Chéron and Matthieu Séguéla, the book delves into the influences that shaped Soulages’ unique artistic vision, such as archaeology, cave art, and Romanesque traditions. The book also highlights his admiration for Japan and its culture, as well as his relationships with other prominent artists and intellectuals.
The book also offers a scholarly analysis of Soulages’ signature “Beyond Black” technique, considering how his work engages with 20th-century history and the cross-cultural exchange of ideas.
The Mystery of Liquefying Paint
In a fascinating twist, some of Soulages’ works from the 1960s are now making headlines for a strange reason: the paint is melting. Typically, oil paint becomes brittle and cracks as it ages, but these particular pieces have been undergoing a curious transformation. Experts are baffled by the phenomenon, and an investigation is underway to understand why this is happening.
Researchers from the CNRS and the Saint-Étienne Optics Institute are examining the affected works, created between December 1959 and March 1960, in an effort to uncover the cause. Two theories have emerged: one suggests that the paint used by Soulages’ supplier might have been of poor quality, while another points to the possibility of unfavorable drying conditions. Art restorer Pauline Hélou de la Grandière, who specializes in Soulages’ work, noted that the paintings were sometimes exhibited immediately after being created, often in far-off locations where temperature fluctuations and poor storage conditions may have played a role in the paint’s reaction.
As experts continue to investigate, art lovers hope that this mystery will be resolved and that steps will be taken to preserve Soulages’ extraordinary contributions to the world of art.
