Lyrical Abstraction And Sacred Light - Maurice Morel (1908-1991)

Maurice Morel (1908-1991)

"Abstract composition"

Watercolor, ink and pastel

Dimensions 24.6 x 32.2 cm - framed 38.2 x 45,7 cm

The artist's world

Fragments d'intime ®
Discover the world of Maurice Morel - 2 works offered on the site -

Born in Ornans in 1908, Maurice Morel moved to Paris in 1927 and became friends with his mentors, Georges Rouault and Max Jacob.

Ordained a priest in 1934, this committed intellectual became the "curé d'art" after a notable lecture on Picasso at the Sorbonne.
Iworked alongside Jean Bazaine to promote modern sacred art, open to abstraction. Their struggle led to historic recognition: the Church's acceptance of non-figurative expression, marked by theentry of modern art into the Vatican in 1973.
Influenced by Alfred Manessier, Morel explored the technique of stained glass and for a long time favored small formats on makeshift supports (cardboard, magazines). His practice, rich in gouache, pastel and ink, places color at the center of his spiritual quest. After 1958, his rare large formats precede a final, more refined and contemplative period.

Decorated by André Malraux in 1968, he leaves a sensitive body of work in which modernity becomes the vector of a universal sacred emotion.


The work under the magnifying glass ®

This work by Maurice Morel embodies his quest for an abstract spirituality, where light replaces the figure.
The composition is based on a dynamic network of fuchsia and white lines that structure the space in the manner of contemporary stained glass.
His palette, mixing the depth of blues and purples with subtle orange-tinged reds, creates a vibrant chromatic balance. Through a delicate play of transparencies, the artist lets the background show through, lending these broken hues an ethereal luminosity. The influence of his contemporaries, Manessier and Bazaine, can be seen in this free gesture typical of lyrical abstraction.
For this priest-painter, color doesn't describe the world, it tries to express its inner energy. This sensitive piece bears witness to a modernity in which art becomes the vector of a universal sacred emotion.

Conservation and Protection

We apply a rigorous conservation protocol guaranteeing the work's longevity:

• Waterproofing: Before the rods are fitted, the work is fully waterproofed to isolate it from dust and moisture.

• Technical anti-UV glass: Indispensable protection to preserve color brilliance from light rays.

• pH-neutral matting: The use of acid-free materials prevents any yellowing or alteration of the paper.

This high-quality framing ensures the preservation of the work's physical integrity and the long-term enhancement of your heritage.