Jean Le Moal (1909–2007) – *le Poisson*, 1952 – Original Lithograph, Signed And Numbered

Original color lithograph – École de Paris – Lyrical Abstraction

Created in 1952, this original lithograph by Jean Le Moal depicts a stylized fish swimming within an abstract composition featuring particularly vibrant colors.

Against a luminous yellow background, large organic forms in shades of mauve, blue-green, and orange unfold. The fish, clearly visible at the center of the composition, blends into a network of curves and interlocking shapes that evoke the movement of water and the richness of the aquatic world.

The artist constructs a veritable architecture of color, in which contrasting solid areas and white spaces create a dynamic visual rhythm.

This work reflects Jean Le Moal’s evolution toward a lyrical abstraction inspired by the observation of nature. The simplification of forms, the vividness of the colors, and the balance of the composition reflect an artistic exploration in which color becomes an autonomous means of expression.

An iconic lithograph representing the artistic explorations of the École de Paris in the 1950s, combining formal freedom, decorative power, and poetic sensibility.

Jean Le Moal (1909–2007) was a French painter, printmaker, and stained-glass artist, a leading figure of the New School of Paris and the postwar non-figurative movement. Born in Authon-du-Perche, he studied notably at the Académie Ranson, where he met several artists who would contribute to the renewal of French painting, including Alfred Manessier, Jean Bertholle, and Étienne-Martin. Initially influenced by Cubism and experiments in modern painting, he gradually developed a personal style based on light, color, and the rhythmic arrangement of forms. In 1941, he participated in the historic exhibition *Twenty Young Painters of the French Tradition*, a significant event in the affirmation of modern painting during the Occupation. He was also one of the founding members of the Salon de Mai. His body of work includes paintings, drawings, engravings, tapestries, and stained-glass windows. His works reflect a constant exploration of the relationships between color, light, and space.

Jean Le Moal’s graphic work is represented in several public institutions, notably the Bibliothèque nationale de France and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, which holds a copy of *Le Poisson*.

Artist: Jean Le Moal (1909–2007)
Title: *Le Poisson*
Date: 1952
Technique: Original color lithograph on paper
Publisher: Guilde de la Gravure, Paris
Edition: XXXIV / LX (34/60)
Signature: Signed and dated in pencil in the lower right corner “Jean Le Moal 1952”
Reference dimensions: 34 × 53 cm
Condition: Good overall condition, a few very slight marks and traces visible in the margins,