Painting, 202 x 143, 6 November 1967
(Peinture, 202 x 143, 6 novembre 1967)
1967
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
202.7 × 143.8 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased through The Art Foundation of Victoria with the assistance of The Eugénie Crawford Bequest, Founder Benefactor, 1998
© Pierre Soulages/ADAGP, Paris. Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia
Gallery location
Level 3, NGV International
About this work
Pierre Soulages was first introduced to abstract art by Sonia Delaunay, who he had met during World War II. Although Soulages is often associated with Art Informel, a movement which developed in postwar France, and Abstract Expressionism, which developed in parallel in the United States, Soulages rejected these comparisons. He argued that his art is less concerned with spontaneity or improvisation than a careful balancing of line and form to achieve a sense of visual harmony. In this painting, the verticality of the canvas is held tautly in place by two horizontal struts of black at the top of the composition, like two roofing beams. These beams contain between them three large black ovals, their liquid forms oozing beyond their horizontal confines.
Artwork Details
Inscription
inscribed in pencil l.r.: Soulages
inscribed in black paint on reverse u.r.: SOULAGES / 202 cm x 143 cm / 6 nov 67
Accession Number
1998.35
Department
International Painting
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Subjects (general)
Abstract Art Nonrepresentational Art
Subjects (specific)
black (colour) blue colours brush strokes painterliness
Movements
Art Informel
Frame
This entry is an example of removing a frame from a painting to re-establish the presentation preferred by the artist.
Painting 6 November, by Pierre Soulages, was acquired in 1998 with a rounded leading edge wooden strip frame finished with aluminium leaf. This frame was fitted over a black painted wooden strip which had been secured to the edge of the painting.
In 2004 the opinion of the artist was sought in relation to the presentation of the painting.
The view expressed was the painting should be displayed without a frame and the edges of the work covered with a single layer of tape to cover the attachment of the canvas.
The framing components were removed in 2005 and the tacking edges covered with archival tape, toned and integrated with the white surface of the front of the painting.
Frame Details
Framemaker
Unknown - 20th century
Materials
timber, aluminium leaf
Dimensions
209 x 150 x 8 cm