GEORGES MATHIEU

Georges Mathieu was born on January 27, 1921, in Boulogne-sur-Mer. He is considered one of the founding figures of Lyrical Abstraction, a movement that emerged after World War II in reaction to geometric abstraction.

A self-taught artist, he developed an approach centered on gesture and form, favoring spontaneous expression over representation. With a background in literature, law, and philosophy from the University of Lille, he began painting in 1942. From 1947 onward, he asserted his vision of art as a free, rapid, and creative act, which he termed Lyrical Abstraction.

A pioneer of Action Painting and performance art, Mathieu used long brushes and often applied paint directly from the tube, creating highly gestural and calligraphic works. He frequently painted in public, allowing audiences to witness the act of creation in real time—a radical and innovative gesture for the time.

His influence extended beyond painting into sculpture, design, and public art, producing monumental works and projects for institutions such as the Gobelins Manufactory and the Monnaie de Paris. He championed a vision of art deeply connected to society and personal commitment.

Mathieu’s work is held in many major collections worldwide. With more than 150 solo exhibitions to his name, he remains a central figure in Lyrical Abstraction. He passed away in 2012, leaving a lasting legacy in contemporary art.