TEFAF MAASTRICHT 2025: Focus Hantaï
Past exhibition
Overview
Simon Hantaï, Paintings from 1963 to 1968, is an exhibition dedicated to the first works created using "the folding method."
The year 1960 marked a decisive turning point in Simon Hantaï's career with the introduction of the folding technique, "folding as a method."This innovation, which became emblematic of his work, transcends the limits of traditional painting, giving the canvas a unique sculptural dimension.
The artist crumples the canvas randomly beforeapplying paint only to the accessible parts.
The unfolding then reveals the composition as well as unexpected reliefs and hollows. This approach, based on chance, generates works of unsettling beauty, where each fold and each shade of color add an unpredictable and fascinating depth.
His first series using this technique, titled "Mariales and Mantles of the Virgin," pays tribute to representations of the Virgin in majesty, particularly through the famous"Maestà di Ognissanti" by Giotto, created in 1306 and discovered by the artist in Florence in 1948.
The series was divided into two parts: the"Mariales," comprising 28 paintings created between 1960 and 1962, and the "Mantles of the Virgin," produced between 1962 and 1964.
Next come the "Catamurons," where the artist refocuses the pictorial gesture, leaving the outline of the composition untouched.
The Panses inspired by Henri Michaux's cosmic sausage introduce ovoid shapes, giving the canvas a sculptural dimension.
Finally, the "Meuns," inspired by the village of Seine-et-Marne where Hantaï settled in 1965, place white, or the "unpainted," at the heart of the composition. The canvas, first folded at the four corners and in the center, is then covered with color.
This collection of works, coming from prestigious private collections, perfectly illustrates Simon Hantaï's creative genius through his various series.
The year 1960 marked a decisive turning point in Simon Hantaï's career with the introduction of the folding technique, "folding as a method."This innovation, which became emblematic of his work, transcends the limits of traditional painting, giving the canvas a unique sculptural dimension.
The artist crumples the canvas randomly beforeapplying paint only to the accessible parts.
The unfolding then reveals the composition as well as unexpected reliefs and hollows. This approach, based on chance, generates works of unsettling beauty, where each fold and each shade of color add an unpredictable and fascinating depth.
His first series using this technique, titled "Mariales and Mantles of the Virgin," pays tribute to representations of the Virgin in majesty, particularly through the famous"Maestà di Ognissanti" by Giotto, created in 1306 and discovered by the artist in Florence in 1948.
The series was divided into two parts: the"Mariales," comprising 28 paintings created between 1960 and 1962, and the "Mantles of the Virgin," produced between 1962 and 1964.
Next come the "Catamurons," where the artist refocuses the pictorial gesture, leaving the outline of the composition untouched.
The Panses inspired by Henri Michaux's cosmic sausage introduce ovoid shapes, giving the canvas a sculptural dimension.
Finally, the "Meuns," inspired by the village of Seine-et-Marne where Hantaï settled in 1965, place white, or the "unpainted," at the heart of the composition. The canvas, first folded at the four corners and in the center, is then covered with color.
This collection of works, coming from prestigious private collections, perfectly illustrates Simon Hantaï's creative genius through his various series.
Press release
Simon Hantaï, Peintures de 1963 à 1968, est une exposition consacrée au premieres oeuvres réalisées selon « la méthode du pliage ».
L’année 1960 marqua un tournant décisif dans la carrière de Simon Hantaï avec l’introduction de la technique du pliage, « plier comme méthode ». Cette innovation, devenue emblématique de son œuvre, transcende les limites de
la peinture traditionnelle, conférant à la toile une dimension sculpturale unique.
L’artiste froisse la toile de manière aléatoire avant d’appliquer de la peinture uniquement sur les parties accessibles.
Le dépliage révèle alors la composition ainsi que des reliefs et des creux inattendus. Cette approche, fondée sur le hasard, génère des œuvres d’une beauté troublante, où chaque pli et chaque nuance de couleur ajoutent une profondeur imprévisible et fascinante.
Sa première série utilisant cette technique, intitulée « Mariales et Manteaux de la Vierge », rend hommage aux représentations de la Vierge en majesté, notamment à travers la célèbre « Maestà di Ognissanti » de Giotto,
réalisée en 1306 et découverte par l’artiste à Florence en 1948.
La série fut divisée en deux parties : les « Mariales », comprenant 28 peintures réalisées entre 1960 et 1962, et les « Manteaux de la Vierge », produits entre 1962 et 1964.
Viennent ensuite les « Catamurons », où l’artiste recentre le geste pictural laissant vierge le contour de la composition.
Les Panses inspirés par la saucisse cosmique de Henri Michaux introduisent des formes ovoïdes, conférant à la toile une dimension sculpturale.
Enfin, les « Meuns», inspirée par le village de Seine-et-Marne où Hantaï s’installe en 1965, place le blanc, ou le « non-peint », au cœur de la composition. La toile, d’abord pliée aux quatre coins et au centre, est ensuite recouverte de couleur.
Cet ensemble d’œuvres, provenant de collections privées prestigieuses, illustre parfaitement le génie créatif de Simon Hantaï à travers ses différentes series.
