French school Abstract Composition N.2. By Patrick Boudon. Action Painting. Dated 1963.

French school Abstract Composition N.2. By Patrick Boudon. Action Painting. Dated 1963.

Mixed technique on thick cardboard: oil painting, gouache, charcoal.
Patrick BOUDON (1944-2019), signed lower left and dated (19)63.
Dimensions: H 100cm x L 73cm.

This experimental abstract composition painted by Patrick Boudon in 1963 draws upon the techniques of Action Painting, characterized by dynamic and spontaneous brushstrokes. Originating in the United States in the late 1940s as a subset of Abstract Expressionism, Action Painting was championed by artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning.

The style reached Europe in the early 1950s, profoundly influencing European artists, particularly those associated with the Art Informel and the Ecole de Paris movements.

In Boudon’s work, the energetic gestures and improvisation associated with Action Painting are vividly present. His use of vibrant colors and thick textures evokes a sense of movement and constant transformation, akin to an urban landscape in flux. Influences from the Cobra group, a European movement promoting spontaneous and raw artistic expression, are also evident in Boudon's work.

In summary, this composition by Patrick Boudon from 1963 encapsulates the vitality and spontaneity of Action Painting, reflecting the cultural and artistic dynamism of Paris during that era.

Patrick Boudon, born in 1944 in Florac, Lozère, demonstrated exceptional artistic talent from a young age. His formal artistic training began in 1962 at the Paris Academy of Fine Arts, which he completed in 1965. His debut exhibition took place in 1963 at the Raymond Duncan gallery in Paris.

Boudon's work gained international recognition, with exhibitions held at prestigious venues such as the Mafalda Davis Gallery in New York and the Salsomaggiore Gallery in Italy. In 1982, he exhibited at the Fiera de Santana museum in Brazil.

In the 1970s, Boudon founded the GAMP (Galleries - Modern Workshops of Paris), a creative hub for artists from various disciplines. Initially known for his abstract paintings, Boudon's style evolved after meeting Picasso, incorporating more figurative elements characterized by exaggerated heads and hands, often exploring human relationships.

Sadly, a significant portion of Boudon's work was lost in a fire that destroyed his studio. He passed away in Montmartre, Paris, in 2019, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and artistic exploration.