Dents de sable à cran d’acier / le langage des sources, 1947

Private Collection, Toronto

The influence of Paul-Émile Borduas and Automatiste philosophies are readily apparent in this work by Christian Marcel Barbeau. Prior to the publication and signing of Le Refus Global in 1948, Barbeau had re-examined his paintings of this period and destroyed many works deemed not radical enough for total abstraction. This early 1947 piece survived Barbeau’s purge and stands as testament to his progressive artistic tendencies on the advent of one of Quebec’s most groundbreaking artistic movements, influencing generations of artists across Canada and the globe. “Dents de sable à cran d’acier / le langage des sources” showcases an exacting handling of the palette knife with vigorous black strokes breaking way for luminous fragments of pure whites, punctuated with royal blue and contrasting fiery orange. This precocious early work by the artist moves the viewer’s eye in an ascending motion across the surface plane. The viewer can almost feel the fervent energy Barbeau had acted upon the painting while in process, imbuing the checkered composition with an intrinsic dynamism. The all-over abstraction gives way to the spontaneity and free association of the painterly process, while also maintaining a balance and tight patterning; a daring exploration on the cusp of modern abstraction in Canadian art.