All his work shows the power relation between dark and colors. The black also manages to reflect light. It confronts the other colors but is not homogeneous and accepts flashes or spots. The shape of these dark areas is developed in a gradual brushwork without preconceived drawing, only achieved when the artist is happy with the result.
Of course, we may compare Soulages with the abstract expressionists of the United States. His search for the absolute reflects Newman but the tensions between colors rather refers to Still.
In 1958, while Yves Klein is experimenting with new colors, Soulages improves his palette. If the background color is gorgeous, the contrast offered by the black areas will be even brighter.
On October 17 in London, Sotheby's sells an oil on canvas titled 'Peinture 125 x 202 cm 30 Octobre 1958', lot 29 estimated £ 2M.
The dark structure perforated or transparent in places invades a golden yellow background with a shadow at its outline which is reminiscent of the lavish transitions by Rothko or Zao Wou-ki.