Paul-Émile Borduas (1905-1960)
Massifs déchiquetés, 1954
Watercolour & Ink
24” x 18”
Artist Origin: Canadian
Artist Type: Historical works of significance / Founder of the Automatistes
Born: November 1, 1905, Saint-Hilaire, Quebec
Died: February 22, 1960, Paris, France
Paul-Émile Borduas was a pioneering figure in Canadian abstract art and the leader of the Automatistes, a radical avant-garde group in Quebec. Trained initially as a teacher and muralist, Borduas developed a bold, gestural style that challenged traditional art norms in the 1940s and 1950s. His signature contribution is the Refus Global manifesto (1948), which rejected conservative social and artistic conventions in Quebec, advocating for artistic freedom and personal expression.
Borduas’s work is characterized by abstract forms, dynamic compositions, and expressive brushwork. His influence extends beyond painting — inspiring Quebec’s Quiet Revolution and reshaping the country’s modernist art movement.
“Paul-Émile Borduas: Life & Work” by François-Marc Gagnon — A comprehensive biography that delves into Borduas’s life, artistic evolution, and his impact on Canadian art. Published by the Art Canada Institute, this work provides an in-depth analysis of his contributions and the cultural context of his time.
