Tigre 1961

Curator: Charles Lapicque’s “Tigre,” painted in 1961, strikes me as a fascinating intersection of figuration and a clear Fauvist sensibility. Editor: A very cheerful beast, wouldn’t you agree? Its kind eyes and slightly askew snout... the color palette has a strange innocence, rather like a child’s idea of a tiger. Curator: Precisely! Note how Lapicque eschews naturalistic representation. The formal qualities prioritize color and brushstroke over anatomical accuracy. It almost feels like we're observing the semiotic deconstruction of the concept "tiger." Editor: Semiotic deconstruction! I simply saw pure joy leaping from the canvas, like a melody spun out of thick paint. All those generous daubs of crimson, gold, and chocolate… Makes you want to purr. Curator: Let’s analyze the composition: the simplified planes and broad, visible brushstrokes flatten the image, defying traditional perspective. Color becomes a structural element as much as a descriptive one. Editor: He truly frees the beast from the jungle's constraints! Imagine this tiger escaping into a dream. Those rhythmic, looping strokes— they evoke a playful sort of dance. Curator: Indeed, these aren't the careful strokes of academic realism. The very materiality of the paint and the gesture of application emphasize the artifice, drawing attention to the painted surface itself. It calls into question the notion of "the real" by showcasing its constructed nature. Editor: Oh, I love that! You speak of construction, yet it sings to my heart like a primal roar. This animal, rendered in these unconventional colours, still speaks of power, instinct and above all-- a unique view on how we relate to such noble creatures. Curator: Ultimately, “Tigre” isn't merely a portrait of a tiger. It’s a powerful demonstration of Fauvist principles—the liberation of colour, the flattening of space, and the primacy of subjective expression over objective representation. Editor: True! It's wild and gorgeous, isn't it? I feel this lovely "Tigre" gives one the desire to leap and find joy, no matter what!