Pierre Soulages: Master of Black and Light

"There are two key elements that run throughout Soulages' work: light and color. Here, we're talking about the color black. it was the core of his palette. He felt that black was violent, intense, reactive, and therefore stayed loyal to it throughout his career. Light, although not tangible, was the most important tool in his painting. Here, the play of light transforms and transmutes as the thickness of the paint changes across the work's surface."

Phillips' 20th Century and Contemporary Art Specialist Henry Highley discusses Pierre Soulages 'Peinture 162 x 130 cm, 14 Avril 1962', 1962 in advance of our 20th Century & Contemporary Art Evening Sale on 9 February at Phillips Berkeley Square in London.

Produced by Phillips (2016)