The Lyon Museum of Fine Arts presents a comprehensive exhibition featuring 140 works by François Rouan, an 84-year-old French artist whose protean body of work explodes with materials, colors, and movements. The exhibition, running until September 21, showcases the sensual and intellectual, intimate yet universal nature of Rouan's artistic universe.
Rouan's artistic pantheon includes diverse influences ranging from Henri Matisse and psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan to the frescoes of Italian primitives and Claude Lanzmann's 1985 film "Shoah." His work is characterized by echoes, rhymes, and both discrete and pronounced allusions that create a moving, complex, and colorful landscape that is simultaneously intellectual and sensual. This unique world is constructed in his singular, cerebral manner within the solitude of his studio in Laversine, in the Oise department of France.
For nearly sixty years, the artist has navigated between various supports and pictorial techniques with remarkable versatility. His artistic practice spans from wax painting on canvas to reworked silver gelatin photography, from lead pencil drawings to collages of cut gouaches, and extends to stained glass work. This technical diversity demonstrates Rouan's commitment to exploring the full spectrum of artistic expression.
The exhibition at the Lyon museum represents one of the most significant gatherings of Rouan's work, offering visitors a comprehensive view of his artistic evolution and technical mastery. Among the featured pieces is "Biju 23" from 2018, a wax painting on paper that exemplifies his distinctive approach to color and material manipulation.
Rouan's artistic journey reflects a deep engagement with both traditional and contemporary forms of expression, positioning him as a significant figure in contemporary French art. His work continues to evolve, maintaining relevance and impact well into his eighth decade, as demonstrated by this major retrospective exhibition.
