Pierre Soulages (1919–2021) was a renowned French artist celebrated for his innovative work in painting and printmaking. Born in Rodez, France, Soulages developed an early fascination with art, which he pursued through formal education at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
Soulages is best known for his unique exploration of black. He believed that black was not merely a color but a dynamic medium that could reflect light and create texture. His signature technique involved layering thick black paint to create rich, tactile surfaces that transformed the way viewers perceived light and shadow. This approach led to the creation of his famous series of "outrenoir" works, where he utilized different tools to manipulate the paint, producing a variety of effects and textures.
Throughout his prolific career, Soulages participated in numerous exhibitions worldwide, including major retrospectives at institutions like the Musée du Louvre in Paris. His work has been influential in the development of abstract art. In addition to his painting, Soulages made significant contributions to printmaking, experimenting with various techniques to further explore his themes of light and texture. He was also involved in creating large-scale public artworks, including murals and sculptures.