Pierre Soulages, © Ansa & the artist
Pierre Soulages (b. 1919 in Rodez, France - 2022 in Nîmes, France) is a renowned French abstract artist best known for his Outrenoir paintings. His fascination with local Celtic carvings and Romanesque architecture, particularly the Sainte-Foy abbey, influenced his art. Initially inspired by Cézanne and Picasso, Soulages briefly studied at École des Beaux-Arts in Paris before returning to Rodez, dissatisfied with its traditional teachings.
After serving in WWII, he resumed painting in Paris in 1946, developing his signature style: bold, black strokes over luminous backgrounds. His works stood out from the colorful trends of French abstraction and reflected a deliberate, formal balance, distinct from the gestural approach of Abstract Expressionism.
Soulages gained prominence with his first solo show in 1949 and has exhibited globally, including retrospectives at the Centre Pompidou (2009–2010) and the Hermitage Museum (2001). He donated 500 works to the Musée Soulages, which opened in Rodez in 2014.
Soulages died in Nîmes on 25 October 2022, less than two months before his 103rd birthday and was survived by his wife. He had marked their 80th wedding anniversary the day before his death. His contributions have made him a pivotal figure in modern abstraction.