Nuit fertile 1960

André Masson’s “Nuit fertile” presents us with a deeply personal yet universally resonant exploration of fertility and creation. Masson, a veteran of World War I, channelled his wartime trauma into his art, seeking to transcend the destruction he witnessed. The title, "Fertile Night," suggests a space where new forms and possibilities gestate. Its abstraction defies traditional representations. Instead, we find a dynamic interplay of shapes and colors that evokes the primal forces of nature and the subconscious. The dark palette, punctuated by bursts of color, conveys a sense of both mystery and emergence. Masson’s own words echo this sentiment, "I believe in the power of instinct. If a work of art isn't violent, aggressive, and outrageous, then it isn't worth anything." "Nuit fertile" confronts us with the idea that creation often arises from turmoil. It’s a reminder of the cyclical nature of life, where destruction and renewal are inextricably linked.