Serge Poliakoff

Initially trained as a musician, Serge Poliakoff supported himself as a guitarist while pursuing painting. In the 1930s, he studied at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière and the Slade School of Fine Art in London. Returning to Paris, Poliakoff became associated with the postwar abstract art movement and was part of the influential School of Paris.

Poliakoff is best known for his vibrant abstract compositions built from interlocking shapes and rich color fields. His mature style emerged in the 1950s and was characterized by harmonious color juxtapositions, textured surfaces, and a focus on spatial tension rather than geometric precision. He often worked with thick layers of pigment to create a sense of depth and resonance. Though often linked to lyrical abstraction, Poliakoff’s work maintains a strong sense of order and contemplation.

Notable works by Poliakoff include Composition rouge, bleue et noire (1955), Composition abstraite (1962), and Bleu, rouge, gris (1967). His paintings were widely exhibited during his lifetime and afterward, including solo shows at the Galerie Denise René and Galerie de France in Paris. He represented France at the 1962 Venice Biennale and was the subject of major retrospectives at the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nantes. His works are held in collections such as the Centre Pompidou, Tate Modern, and the Guggenheim Museum.