Jean Paul Riopelle

Jean-Paul Riopelle was a Canadian painter, sculptor, and printmaker who became one of the most prominent figures of postwar abstraction. Born in Montreal, he studied under Paul-Émile Borduas and was a member of the group Les Automatistes, signing the revolutionary Refus Global manifesto in 1948. Soon after, Riopelle moved to Paris, where he became associated with Surrealism and the international art scene, quickly gaining recognition for his dynamic, gestural canvases.

Riopelle’s mature style, often linked to lyrical abstraction and Art Informel, is characterized by thick impastos, palette-knife technique, and richly colored mosaics of paint. His work was exhibited internationally, including at the Venice Biennale and major museums in Europe and North America. Returning to Canada later in life, Riopelle continued to paint monumental canvases inspired by nature and landscape. Today, he is celebrated as one of Canada’s greatest modern artists, with works held in the National Gallery of Canada, Centre Pompidou, and leading collections worldwide.