Riopelle
JEAN-PAUL RIOPELLE "LES MOUCHES À MARINER NO. 8" 1985
Jean-Paul Riopelle (1923–2002) is arguably the most successful post-war abstract artist from Canada.
While Americans have traditionally favoured Jackson Pollock as the defining figure of Abstract Expressionism, in Europe—and beyond—Riopelle's stature is of competing importance for his instinctive, gestural approach to abstraction.
Les Mouches à Marier No. 8 is among the most celebrated prints from the artist's late career. Produced in 1985, it belongs to a remarkable portfolio inspired by Riopelle's lifelong passion for fly fishing—a pursuit he considered as intuitive and inventive as painting itself.
A devoted observer of the natural world, Riopelle returned repeatedly to animals and the landscape throughout his career, creating celebrated series devoted to owls, geese, and flies. This portfolio was conceived in honour of his friend Paul Marier, a legendary Canadian fly-tier, transforming the ritual of tying and casting flies into a vivid language of etched marks, layered colour, and explosive movement. (See a great image of Marier and Riopelle fishing here).
With their vibrant, animated compositions, the prints showcase Riopelle's energetic expressiveness, his extraordinary talent as a colourist, and his signature superimposition technique. Gold, green, blue, and black collide across the sheet, evoking the shimmer of water and the fleeting path of a fly skimming the river's surface.
This textured print distills decades of Riopelle's experimentation into one of his most dynamic and sought-after graphic works. Alongside the whole portfolio, this etching is held in the public collection at the National Gallery of Canada.
Questions about this artwork? Contact us, call +1.416.704.1720, or visit our Toronto gallery.
"Les Mouches à Mariner" (plate no. 8 from a set of 8)
Canada, 1985
Etching in Colours on Arches paper with full margins
Signed and numbered "HC" by the artist
From 1 of 20 hors commerce impressions, outside of the edition of 75
Published by Galerie Lelong & Co., Paris
19.75”H 26”W (sheet)
Very good condition
Literature: RIOPELLE, Yseult. Jean Paul Riopelle: Catalogue raisonné des estampes, Hibou Éditeurs, 2005, p. 327. (1985.32EST.GR.ALB)
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