Georges Mathieu French, 1912-2012

Georges Mathieu is a French painter, a leading figure of lyrical abstraction and a forerunner of performance art. Born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Mathieu studied law and philosophy before dedicating himself to painting in the 1940s. Mathieu is renowned for his monumental canvases, executed in a gestural and spontaneous style, emphasizing the expression of creative energy. His dynamic compositions, with bright colors and organic forms, reflect his desire to liberate painting from the constraints of representation. A precursor of the happening, Mathieu performed numerous public performances, painting in front of an audience in ceremonial costumes and executing his canvases with speed and intensity. These spectacular events contributed to his international fame. Mathieu also played an important role in promoting abstract art in France, organizing exhibitions and conferences. His works are included in the collections of major museums, from the Centre Pompidou to MoMA and the Guggenheim. By combining an intuitive approach to painting with a theoretical reflection on art, Georges Mathieu left a lasting mark on the history of abstraction and opened new paths for artistic expression.