Executed in 1961, Anthéor is an exceptional example of Jean Paul Riopelle’s unparalleled skill and vision, embodying the energy and vibrancy that defined his oeuvre. This compelling work is a veritable celebration of color, with a dynamic interplay of soft pinks, vivid scarlets, ochres, and deep midnight blues. These intense hues are set against a striking, undulating backdrop of blacks and whites, layered in rich, textured ridges and furrows that reveal the artist’s commanding use of the palette knife. The result is a small-scale canvas that hums with life, each stroke and scrape a testament to Riopelle’s distinctive gestural technique, where paint is not merely applied, but brought to life in a tactile, visceral manner.

The use of bright, vibrant hues marks a departure from the darker palette Riopelle often favoured in the late 1950s. This shift coincided with a period of significant experimentation, including the artist’s exploration of sculpture in the early 1960s. With this new direction, Riopelle’s approach began to emphasize texture and physicality in ways that mirrored his sculptural practice. Anthéor was first exhibited at the esteemed Pierre Matisse Gallery in New York, an institution known for shaping the narrative of modern and contemporary art in both Europe and North America.