Two young listeners from franceinfo junior spent their school vacation exploring the exhibition "Soulages, Another Light" at the Luxembourg Museum in Paris, accompanied by exhibition curator Alfred Pacquement. The visit offered children a unique opportunity to discover the renowned French painter Pierre Soulages through his lesser-known works on paper.
The exhibition presents a fresh perspective on the celebrated artist, who is primarily known for his large black canvases. Running until January 11, "Soulages, Another Light" showcases 130 paper works created between the 1940s and early 2000s, including 25 previously unseen pieces. This comprehensive collection reveals a different side of Soulages' artistic journey, focusing specifically on his paper-based creations rather than his famous large-scale paintings.
During the guided tour, 8-year-old Achille and 10-year-old Violette, accompanied by journalist Estelle Faure, posed curious questions to curator Alfred Pacquement. Their first stop featured an early Pierre Soulages painting with large brown strokes that immediately captured their attention. Pacquement explained that this work dated from "the very beginning of Pierre Soulages' painting life" in 1946, when the artist was just 25 years old.
When 10-year-old Violette wondered "why it's black; there's no particular color," Pacquement took the opportunity to educate the children about color theory. He explained that black is indeed a color, and in this particular case, the painting was actually brown - a color Soulages created using "crushed walnuts, boiled in water," whose juice served as paint. This revelation about the artist's innovative use of natural materials fascinated the young visitors.
The children's curiosity about Soulages' relationship with light led to deeper discussions about his artistic technique. When Violette asked, "I heard he played with light, what does that mean?" Pacquement provided an accessible explanation of the artist's sophisticated approach. "What interests him is the contrast between the dark traces and the white," he explained, "so that the white is not just a background, but also a color that resonates with the dark brown. There's a play of contrasts." This explanation helped the children understand how Soulages manipulated visual elements to create depth and meaning in his work.
As they moved through the exhibition, the children encountered abstract works that challenged their understanding of representational art. When they inquired about what the painter was depicting, Pacquement introduced them to the concept of abstract art with age-appropriate language. "It doesn't represent anything in particular, but we can see what we want in it," he explained, describing this interpretive freedom as a form of "liberty" that abstract art offers viewers.
The visit also served as an educational opportunity to learn about Pierre Soulages' remarkable life and career. The artist, who passed away in 2022 at the impressive age of 102, had achieved international recognition for his unique artistic vision. His longevity allowed him to witness decades of artistic evolution while maintaining his distinctive style throughout his career.
To support young visitors like Achille and Violette, the Luxembourg Museum has developed comprehensive educational resources. The museum's website features a pedagogical dossier and an activity booklet specifically designed to help children discover Pierre Soulages' life and work. These materials make the complex concepts of contemporary art accessible to younger audiences, encouraging art appreciation from an early age.
The exhibition represents more than just a display of artwork; it serves as an educational bridge connecting young people with contemporary art. By presenting Soulages' paper works, the exhibition offers a more intimate view of the artist's creative process, showing how he developed his distinctive style across different mediums and scales throughout his lengthy career.
