Composition Revue XXe siècle 1967

In 1967, the renowned French artist Pierre Soulages created an original lithograph titled Composition for the influential art magazine Revue XXe Siècle. This lithograph is emblematic of Soulages’ distinct abstract style and his deep exploration of light and dark, which has become a hallmark of his career.

Pierre Soulages, often referred to as the "painter of black," has been a central figure in post-war European art. His work is characterized by bold use of black, a color he describes as both a medium and a subject. His outrenoir technique, meaning "beyond black," focuses on the interplay between light and texture, with black serving as the foundation for a study of light’s reflection and absorption.

The Revue XXe Siècle was an influential art publication that featured work from some of the most significant artists of the 20th century. The magazine was known for its high-quality reproductions of contemporary art and often included original lithographs and prints by the artists featured in its pages. Soulages’ collaboration with Revue XXe Siècle is a testament to his prominence in the international art scene during this period.

The 1967 lithograph Composition reflects Soulages’ mastery of abstract expressionism and his ongoing fascination with the materiality of paint and the surface of the canvas. It exemplifies his approach to abstraction, where form and color create a powerful visual language that transcends representation. His work is less about depicting the visible world and more about evoking a visceral response through texture, contrast, and movement.

This lithograph also represents Soulages’ contribution to the broader dialogue of 20th-century modernism. By stripping away figurative elements, he focused on the essential nature of painting as an object, emphasizing the interaction of the viewer with the artwork itself. Soulages' work challenges traditional notions of composition, inviting viewers to engage with the artwork on an emotional and intuitive level.

The 1967 lithograph for Revue XXe Siècle remains an important piece in Soulages’ extensive body of work, encapsulating the essence of his artistic philosophy during a pivotal moment in modern art history. It continues to be revered by collectors and art historians alike for its bold abstraction and the unique way it embodies Soulages' lifelong exploration of black as a source of light.

Original Lithograph

Abstract

Good condition, one crease