Peinture 326 x 181 cm, 14 mars 2009 2009

Pierre Soulages created this polyptych, "Peinture 326 x 181 cm, 14 mars 2009", in 2009. It is composed of four panels painted in black oil. The dark surface absorbs light, reflecting subtle textures and variations in the black pigment. The modular form, divided into stacked horizontal planes, emphasizes its structure. Soulages' approach disrupts traditional notions of painting through its almost monochrome palette and focus on surface texture, creating a play of light and shadow. His practice is rooted in the idea that art should not represent but present, offering a direct encounter with the material and its effects. This aligns with minimalist principles, where the artwork's presence and the viewer's perception are central themes. Here, the emphasis on material and perception invites continuous interpretation, challenging the assumption that art provides fixed meanings. Instead, it poses questions about the nature of seeing and knowing.