Painted in 1958, Gérardmer exemplifies Jean Paul Riopelle's mastery of gestural abstraction and his enduring fascination with the natural world. By 1958, Riopelle had emerged as one of the most internationally celebrated Canadian artists of his generation. That year brought an honourable mention at the Guggenheim International Award exhibition and a major retrospective at the Kölnischer Kunstverein in Cologne, affirming his position within the forefront of postwar abstraction.

In Gérardmer, a luminous white ground dominates the composition, creating an expansive field through which energetic passages of blue, green, grey, brown, and vibrant red emerge. Bold black brushstrokes sweep across the surface with a calligraphic intensity, acting as visual anchors that animate the composition and guide the viewer's eye through a constantly shifting network of forms. The resulting image balances structure and spontaneity, reflecting Riopelle's lifelong commitment to the principles of Automatism, where intuition and gesture become central creative forces.

Possibly named after the town of Gérardmer in France's Vosges Mountains, the painting does not present a literal landscape. Instead, Riopelle evokes the sensation of place through a vigorous interplay of colour, movement, and spontaneous mark-making, transforming memory and experience into a dynamic visual language.

The provenance of Gérardmer is notable - the painting was first sold through Galerie Jacques Dubourg in Paris, one of the most important galleries associated with Riopelle's career. Dubourg was among the earliest French dealers to champion the Canadian-born artist, helping introduce his work to a European audience and solidifying his place within the postwar Paris art world. The painting was exhibited at Kestner-Gesellschaft Gallery in Hanover in 1958, and also bears a Minnesota Museum of Art label on verso. The painting was acquired in London in the 1990s and has remained in a Canadian private collection until its consignment to Heffel this fall.

Combining lyrical abstraction, gestural freedom, and a deep engagement with place, Gérardmer stands as a powerful example of Riopelle's mature vision, embodying the artistic confidence and expressive vitality that define his legacy.

Heffel is proud to be a presenting partner of the inauguration of the new Espace Riopelle – Michael Audain Pavilion at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, opening its doors on October 22.