Voilure de Chine

In 1965, Jean Lefébure returned to Montreal after spending more than ten years in Paris. The painting titled "Voilage de Chine" is marked "Montreal" on the back, suggesting it was created shortly after his return. Before his departure, Lefébure was a young figure in Montreal's avant-garde art scene. His participation in the "Rebelles" exhibition in 1951 demonstrated his passion and desire for artistic exploration, which he would fulfill during his years in Paris. His numerous European exhibitions and artistic explorations gave him a maturity that he brought back to Quebec.

From the mid-1960s, the compositions of Jean Lefébure's works began to evolve. Previously, his works were often dominated by black and red on a white background, reminiscent of the works of his mentor Paul-Émile Borduas. Upon his return, his style took a turn: his works now consisted of dense masses of colors packed closely together, making his style increasingly distinct and unique.

Freed from the influence of his Canadian mentors, Lefébure simplified the pictorial image. Yves Robillard wrote in "La Vie des Arts": "He determines the size and color of different patches in relation to the surface and scale, gradually defining his forms while allowing the possibility of destroying his starting points. The structure of the artwork (painting, sculpted mural, sculpture) is sought based on location, surface, color, and ambient material. By respecting these imperatives, he regains his freedom and embarks on an adventure that continuously improvises."

Learn More about Jean Lefébure >