Alain LACOSTE (1935-2022), Untitled (Red Figures). Oil on panel Painting. Monogrammed and dated

Alain LACOSTE (1935-2022)

Untitled (Red Figures)

Oil on panel

Monogrammed and dated

83. 32 x 33 cm

This powerful and expressive work by Alain Lacoste exemplifies the artist’s deeply human and visceral visual language. Executed in oil on panel, Untitled (Red Figures) presents a dense, almost sculptural surface where layers of pigment are worked with intensity and intention. Shades of deep red, black, and white collide and intertwine, forming fragmented yet unmistakably figurative presences—hands, faces, and bodies emerging and dissolving within the composition.

Lacoste’s treatment of the human form is raw and emotional, evoking themes of struggle, intimacy, and collective memory. The heavily textured surface enhances the dramatic tension of the scene, giving the impression that the figures are both trapped within and pushing against the painted matter itself. The restrained palette heightens the sense of urgency and psychological depth, while the abstracted forms invite prolonged contemplation.

Monogrammed and dated by the artist, this work stands as a compelling example of Lacoste’s mature period, reflecting his commitment to expressive figuration and material experimentation. It is a striking and evocative piece that captures the artist’s enduring exploration of the human condition through gesture, texture, and form.

Alain Lacoste (1935–2022)

Alain Lacoste was a French artist whose work occupies a distinctive place within postwar expressive figuration. Throughout a long and committed career, he developed a powerful visual language centered on the human figure, marked by emotional intensity, material depth, and a strong sense of psychological presence. His paintings are characterized by vigorous gesture, dense textures, and a palette often dominated by earthy tones, reds, and blacks, reflecting an uncompromising engagement with the human condition.

Lacoste exhibited regularly in France and internationally, participating in major group exhibitions and presenting numerous solo shows over several decades. His work was shown in respected galleries and cultural institutions, contributing to his recognition among collectors, critics, and fellow artists. Over time, his name became associated with a form of expressive figuration that resisted both strict abstraction and academic realism, favoring instead a raw, visceral approach to form and subject matter.

Widely regarded as an artist of conviction and integrity, Alain Lacoste maintained a consistent and recognizable style while continually deepening his exploration of the figure. His work resonates with broader postwar artistic concerns—identity, memory, tension, and humanity—placing him within the lineage of European painters who sought to restore emotional and existential depth to contemporary art.

Today, Lacoste’s œuvre is increasingly appreciated for its coherence and intensity, and his name remains well regarded among connoisseurs of expressive modern and contemporary painting. His works are held in private collections and continue to be presented on the art market, where they are valued for their strong presence and enduring relevance.

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