Alain Carrier (1924–2020) Cubist Female Nude

Alain CARRIER
(Sarlat 1924 – Sainte Alvère 2020)
Cubist Nude
Gouache on paper
H. 65 cm; W. 50 cm
Stamp from the studio sale on the back of the frame

Born in Sarlat in the heart of the Périgord Noir, Alain Carrier is one of the leading figures of 20th-century French poster art An artist with a keen eye and an inventive imagination, he developed a talent for drawing at a very early age, which was notably recognized by O’Galop, creator of the famous Michelin Man and a fellow native of the Périgord. After the war and his involvement in the Resistance, he moved to Paris, where he trained under the great poster artist Paul Colin, becoming first his student and then his assistant.

His career in Paris led him to work for major companies, notably the Printemps department stores and the Havas advertising agency. He created advertising, cultural, and entertainment posters, as well as portraits and illustrations for numerous celebrities, including Édith Piaf, Bourvil, and Joséphine Baker. His instantly recognizable graphic style is based on the strength of his lines, the effectiveness of his compositions, humor, and the art of synthesis. He knows how to turn an image into an idea and a drawing into a message.

But behind this brilliant national and international career lies an unwavering attachment to his native region. Alain Carrier never ceased to draw inspiration from the Périgord, which formed an essential part of his artistic identity. As a co-founder of the Festival des Jeux du Théâtre de Sarlat in 1952, he designed its first poster and has long supported the cultural life of his region through numerous works donated to local organizations and events.

The Périgord thus becomes much more than a subject: it is a true home and a wellspring of creativity. Through his posters, drawings, and paintings, Alain Carrier celebrates the landscapes, traditions, people, and way of life of the Périgord. He captures its spirit with a freedom of expression, a down-to-earth sensibility, and a graphic elegance that transcend mere regional illustration. As a socially conscious artist, he also put his talent to work for major humanitarian causes, notably with his famous poster for Amnesty International, “You Can’t Gag the Light”, which has become emblematic of his work.

Alain Carrier, who passed away in 2020, leaves behind a rich and unique body of work, at the intersection of graphic art, painting, and the memory of a region. His career reflects a deep conviction: one can achieve success far from one’s roots without ever losing the connection to one’s homeland. A native of Sarlat through birth and at heart, he remains one of the Périgord’s greatest artistic ambassadors.

Throughout his career, which centered on poster art, Alain Carrier never neglected drawing and painting. In fact, numerous works depicting the Périgord and its people emerged from the depths of his studio during its liquidation in 2021, revealing a hidden side of the artist.

Our nude is among them, dating from the 1940s or 1950s, and bearing a strong resemblance to the Cubist works of Maurice Albe from the same period. Did the two artists explore this path together? Given that Albe was in Sarlat starting in 1946, it’s not impossible.