October 26, Pierre Soulages and death. The illustrious painter left us a few days after celebrating his wedding anniversary, at the age of 102, in Nîmes. This Wednesday, November 2, a national tribute was paid to the great man, in the square courtyard of the Louvre, in Paris. It is the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron who presided over this ceremony, open to all. His wife Brigitte Macron, as well as members of the government and of course the artist’s family were expected on site. With naturally his widow, Colette Soulages, who shared his life for seventy years.
Behind the coffin, officers presented the artist’s medals, including those of Grand Cross, Legion of Honor, Grand Cross, National Order of Merit and Officer of the Rising Sun. “What other place than this square courtyard (…) to form a procession for him at the time of his departure?” were the first words of the President of the Republic. In the front row was the artist’s wife, Colette, 101, who shared his life for 80 years. The President of the Republic was accompanied by several ministers, Rima Abdul-Malak (Culture), Catherine Colonna (Foreign Affairs), Eric Dupond-Moretti (Justice) and Pap Ndiaye (Education). And of course his wife Brigitte Macron, elegant and sober in black. Roselyne Bachelot was also present. For this tribute to the painter of a century, the world of the Arts had also made the trip, like in particular Laurence Des Cars, director of the Louvre, and Bernard Blistène, who takes care of the Center Pompidou. François and Maryvonne Pinault, as well as Jean Nouvel were also present.
A “universal and inalienable” gift
“In a France thrown into disaster, he turned to beauty for solace. This was his lesson in darkness, the revelation of his journey to the end of the night. The black had triumphed and the light was. INot many painters have given their name to a color. So on this day, the nation wears the black of mourning, but Pierre Soulages taught us to detect the light there. It is the universal and inalienable gift he has given us. For that, thank you.” he added in particular, before advancing at the foot of the remains after his speech.
The ring To the dead was interpreted in stride by the instrumentalists of the Republican Guard, and after a minute of silence, the Marseillaise was sung by the French Army Choir. The body of Pierre Soulage then left the square courtyard of the Louvre, accompanied by an orchestral suite by Jean-Sébastien Bach and his relatives. As a reminder, Pierre Soulage was tall, and always dressed in black. He marked the world with his canvases in a thousand shades of black. He said to seek “bring out the light“. One of his masterpieces, dated 1961, was sold for 20.2 million dollars in New York in November 2021. On November 2, all his relatives but also the people who still admire him so much today today were able to say their last goodbye…
The burial of Pierre Soulages will take place on Friday November 4, at 2:30 p.m., in the Montparnasse cemetery (Paris).