Pierre Soulages

Pierre Soulages (1919–2022), was a French painter known for his mastery of black and its interplay with light, which he called Outrenoir (“beyond black”). Born in Rodez, France, he gained international recognition for his abstract, gestural paintings characterized by deep black surfaces and rich textures. Soulages’ work has been exhibited in major institutions, including the Musée du Louvre in Paris, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Guggenheim Museum. In 2014, the Musée Soulages was inaugurated in his hometown of Rodez, dedicated to his extensive body of work. A major retrospective of his career was held at the Louvre in 2019, a rare honor for a living artist. His innovative approach to black as a source of light influenced generations of abstract painters. He remained active in his studio well into his 100s. Soulages passed away in 2022, leaving behind a legacy as one of France’s most celebrated contemporary artists.